A new fund at the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation will provide scholarships to young women pursuing a degree in one of the STEM fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. The objective of this scholarship is to increase the percentage of females working in STEM fields. Currently, only 26 percent of STEM workers are women.
The FHS Women in STEM Scholarship Committee selected Abigail Zentz as the 2017 recipient. “Abagail’s passion for technology and engineering shone through in her essay,” exclaimed the committee. “We were impressed with her efforts to seek out engineers to shadow and her participation and success in the “STEM Wars” competitions. Most importantly, we applaud Abigail’s perseverance in male-dominated classes and her insightful recognition that diverse perspectives in STEM can only improve these fields with new ideas and solutions. We were incredibly impressed with all the young women who applied and look forward to continuing the scholarship in the coming years!”
The FHS Women in STEM Scholarship was made possible and is in memory of Anita Brown, R.N., grandmother of committee member Allison Kelley. Brown was a graduate of Millard Fillmore School of Nursing and a member of both the Chautauqua County Fair Association and the Fredonia Memorial American Legion Post #59 Women’s Auxiliary. She was a familiar face in the Brooks Memorial Hospital surgical waiting room where she volunteered beyond the age of 85.
The FHS Women in STEM Committee started this scholarship as a way to encourage and support young women from Fredonia High School to pursue careers in STEM. Committee members include Allison Kelly, Data Scientist and FHS Class of 2007; Jessica Ross, Civil Engineer and FHS Class of 2006; Sarah DiPalma, M.D., Doctor of Medicine and FHS Class of 2006; and Jennifer Phillips Russo, M.S., Biology/Environmental Science, and Author.
Recipients are selected based on merit, course work, and enthusiasm for their chosen field of study. For additional information on this scholarship and a link to the application, visit www.nccfoundation.org/stem-scholarship. Contact the office at nccf@nccfoundation.org or 716-366-4892 for information on this and other scholarships available at the NCCF.
The NCCF, incorporated in 1986, is a tax-exempt charitable organization. Since its establishment, the NCCF has distributed more than $12.9 million in the community through its various grant programs. It is an organization inherently committed to enriching the northern Chautauqua community and encouraging local philanthropy. For more information on the NCCF, visit www.nccfoundation.org or call 716-366-4892.