Two Lincoln Park students recognized for outstanding STEM talent

National women’s group lauds eighth-graders

Two Lincoln Park eighth-graders were recognized for their enthusiasm and talents in mathematics and science at the annual Beaver Valley Branch of the American Association of University Women’s Girls Recognition Night.

Julia Cain and Madison Hunter were among 25 honorees lauded at the April 11 celebration, which took place at the Community College of Beaver County’s Learning Resource Center.

Each student was nominated by her science or math teacher for her interest in math or science and talents in STEM—science, technology, engineering and math.

In nominating Cain, science teacher Lauren Buckwalter said she is dedicated in class to mastering all material and “goes above and beyond to complete her assignments and practice with gusto.”

“In the two years I have known Julia, she has impressed me with her maturity and leadership in the classroom,” Buckwalter wrote in her letter. “She was a part of my STEAM elective in seventh grade, where I got to see her leadership qualities emerge. Julia gives everything she does 100%, and it shows in the projects she designs. Julia learned quickly how to use various types of equipment like the laser engraver, vinyl cutter, heat press, and 3D printer. She volunteered to help her peers troubleshoot and began putting their projects before her own. This year, I have Julia for both science and the STEAM elective. She has excelled beyond my expectations in both classes.”

In nominating Hunter, math teacher Amanda Parasida called her “dedicated, ambitious, hard-working, creative and mathematically talented.”

“If I said that Madison Hunter is an exemplary mathematics student that would be an understatement,” Parasida wrote in her letter. “Maddie is not only naturally mathematically talented, but she is eager to expand her mathematical understanding and skills. This desire for mathematical knowledge is not a common quality, especially among middle school students. Maddie is indeed wise beyond her years, but also possesses a natural drive to know more. Coupled with her perseverance and determination, this intrinsic motivation allows Maddie to perform at a mathematically superior level.”

Honorees received certificates of excellence and passes to the Carnegie Science Center. A panel of four women working in STEM areas also discussed their education and careers, giving the young women an insight to the possibilities open to them in the STEM fields. Panelists were Samantha Baldwin, an emergency response manager for Shell Chemicals; Jerra Lobozzo, a neurophysiologist; Mara Pritchard, project manager at SAI Consulting Engineers; and Christine Secilia, a lecturer in the Department of Criminal Justice and Intelligence Studies at Point Park University.

AAUW is a national organization with more than 100,000 members that has long advocated gender equity in education. The Girls’ Recognition Night is a program that recognizes eighth-grade girls from Beaver County middle schools who have an exceptional interest or passion in the fields of math and science, a potential for growth in the subject area, and who demonstrate exceptional class participation, effort, enthusiasm, grades, in-class projects, and problem-solving ability