I am thrilled to share all my unique experiences at the Exelon Foundation STEM Leadership Academy. As a girl passionate about science, technology, engineering, and math, this program has been a dream come true for me. From the beginning, I knew I was in for a life-changing experience. The hands-on activities and workshops we participated in were engaging and challenging, and I learned so much every day. The program helped me build a solid foundation of STEM knowledge and skills that will serve me well in my future academic and career pursuits. But the STEM Academy was about more than just STEM. It was also about leadership, communication, and presentation skills, which are all essential for success in any field. We had the chance to practice these skills through various activities and projects, and I feel more confident than ever in my ability to lead and communicate effectively. One of the most memorable aspects of the program was learning how nuclear power plays a crucial role in our energy ecosystem. I gained a deeper appreciation for the importance of sustainability and energy conservation, and I am more motivated than ever to contribute to these fields.

The amount of learning at the Exelon STEM Academy was so transformative that it became my college essay topic. And that's not all; it gave me the courage to ask for a meeting with the department head of engineering at one of my prospective colleges and a path forward for what I wanted to do with my life. Following the Academy, I participated in the Exelon Mentorship Series and became an Ambassador for the Exelon STEM Academy. The mentorship program was like having a professional family that has your best interest at heart. They covered everything from resumes, how to save money and discussions about career paths with college degrees.

As an Ambassador, I scheduled a renewable energy activity with the 6th grade Girl Scout Troup from my grade school. Worried that I could not keep them engaged, the opposite happened; they kept me engaged. They knew the answers to most of the questions; they asked intelligent questions, and one girl shared that she has an environmental podcast and invited me to speak on her show. If statistics did not show that girls begin to lose interest in STEM subjects in middle school (which continues in high school and college), I would have thought the opposite after hosting this activity with these girl scouts.