“When I was a kid, you were told you were going to be a teacher or a nurse and everything was geared toward that,” says Sarah Lueck, secretary for Lighting the Way Foundation for Girls in STEAM and administrative coordinator at Crowntight Watertight. “I wasn’t encouraged to step outside of the box.”
It’s true that, for a long time, women were associated with those jobs, and careers in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics were taboo. But over the years, a slow evolution has happened, inviting women to try different opportunities and find out their true passion.
That is thanks to efforts from different nonprofits, including Lighting the Way Foundation for Girls in STEAM. Its mission is to empower young women to pursue their passions in those sectors. That is done by providing mentorship opportunities and scholarships to inspire and support the next generation of women STEAM leaders. By fostering a community of encouragement and growth, they aim to break down barriers and light the path for young women to achieve their dreams and drive innovation in their chosen fields.
The Scholarship
This year, two $2,500 scholarships will be awarded, one to a high school girl from Westchester County and the other from Long Island.
“The scholarship can be used for anything for college,” explains Nadia Savage, board officer of Lighting the Way Foundation for Girls in STEAM. “It’s a small dent, but we are hoping to do more and continue to look for grant opportunities.”
The scholarships are designed to provide financial support for the student’s educational journey and can be used for any reason, including expenses like tuition, room and board, books, or personal needs.
The application, which requires an essay, has a deadline of May 30. The scholarship is possible thanks to support from partners like Avalon Risk Companies, Grassi Advisors & Accountants, Cassone, and others.
Supporting STEAM Education
While the scholarship is one part of the work Lighting the Way does, it’s not the only thing. The nonprofit is building its mentorship program to connect girls with women who have been in the industry for a long time. As a registered mentor, you can engage directly with young women pursuing an education and career in STEAM, providing guidance and helping them navigate their paths. It’s an opportunity to empower young women while getting involved in the community.
Meanwhile, to become a mentee, there is a short application that is meant to help match you with the right mentor. The application asks questions like, “What initially sparked your interest in STEAM?” and “What do you hope to achieve through the mentorship program?”
“It’s so important to me that all girls know they have an opportunity and can find out what else is out there,” shares Lisa Decina-Muroff, president of Lighting the Way Foundation for Girls in STEAM. “You don’t know what you can be unless you know what the options are. Mentorship is so important for this.”
The idea that if you can’t do math without a calculator, you are pushed toward English is something that the Lighting the Way team hopes to shake up. They want more and more girls to learn about the opportunities involved with STEAM today.
“My goal is to reach every little girl,” notes Decina-Muroff.
The scholarship will be awarded in mid-June. Decina-Muroff says that they won’t be deciding based on the highest grades but instead on who puts themselves out there and is working hard. The mentorship program, which is open to everyone, is ongoing. Lighting the Way Foundation plans to engage mentors and mentees to create a long-lasting program.
“These mentor-mentees could last a lifetime,” says Savage. “There is no timeline on it.”
Next Steps
Find the scholarship application here.
Related: Girl Scouts CEO Kari Rockwell Leads the Way in Westchester
