Knoxville teens rise to the top in national STEM competition

From left, Rachel McGill, Sarah Hodges, Melina Russell and J’Tia Williamson, students hailing from various high schools across the county, stop for a photo at the Knoxville Area Urban League during a practice session for a case competition that took place at the National Urban League’s Youth Leadership Summit in Philadelphia. The team finished as runner-up, scoring only 5 points behind the Urban League of Rochester, NY, a three-time champion.

KNOXVILLE -- Four female students hailing from various high schools across the county put the spotlight on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), when they represented the Knoxville Area Urban League in a case competition on July 24 as part of the National Urban League’s Youth Leadership Summit in Philadelphia. Participants included Melina Russell, representing West High School; J’Tia Williamson, Hardin Valley Academy; Rachel McGill, L&N STEM Academy; and Sarah Hodges, Christian Academy of Knoxville.

In Round 1 of the competition, Knoxville competed against 25 teams from Urban League affiliates across the country to earn a spot at the final competition. In the finals, Knoxville finished as runner-up, scoring only 5 points behind the Urban League of Rochester, NY, a three-time champion.

“I’m proud of the hard work and hours of preparation these young women invested in the competition,” said Nichole Tillman, Urban League education and youth coordinator. “While we were pleased to place so high in the competition, the skills these scholars gained in areas like public speaking, teamwork, critical thinking and marketing are equally rewarding.”

Working with coach Herbert Grant, a mechanical engineer with ORNL, other adult volunteers and Urban League staff, the student participants developed a case statement for W. I. S. E (Women in STEM Excelling) Entrepreneurial Academy. The case statement centers on a plan to introduce minority women to the entrepreneurial path within STEM disciplines and to provide leadership training, self-awareness activities, network building and career mentoring.

The teens presented their case statement to an audience of hundreds of Youth Summit participants, including teenagers and adults, at Temple University. The presentation included a video, PowerPoint presentation and skit detailing the benefits of the STEM program for minority women.

Now in its 22nd year, the National Urban League Youth Leadership Summit is a five-day educational and development experience for high school students from across the country. The Summit exposes youth to national leaders, college campuses and career opportunities, and also facilitates the development of skills needed for success in college.

Since 1968, the Knoxville Area Urban League has assisted disadvantaged people attain social and economic stability and self-sufficiency through direct services and advocacy. The League works to provide a skilled and diverse workforce; to increase homeownership; to support economic and small business development, and to enhance education efforts for our youth. The Knoxville Area Urban League is a United Way partner agency and affiliate of the National Urban League. The League’s work and results are evident in the lives of the over 8,000 people it impacts each year. For more information, go to www.thekaul.org.

For more information on the Knoxville Area Urban League and its programs, call 865-524-5511 or visit www.thekaul.org.

Published August 4, 2013