1st Place :: Faith Ashley :: 12th :: Gates County Senior High

Her Name: Denise Stephenson-Hawk
Her Occupation: Board Member of NOAA
Employer or Department where she works: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Science Advisory Board

Why do you want to be like her?
Dr. Stephenson-Hawk is an inspiration to all females. She gives encouragement to women all over the US. I relate to her a lot. She was born in a small town and did not grow up with the privilege of money, just like me. Denise loved school, especially math. Math is one of my favorite subjects and I plan to minor in math along with my major in biology. Denise never gave up, even when she had setbacks and I plan to do the same. I aspire to be a cardiac anesthesiologist. This career is going to be difficult and challenging, but that is not going to stop me. Women like Denise Stephenson-Hawk shows all women that anything is possible with diligence, motivation, and encouragement. Denise shows that anything is possible.

2nd Place :: Christian Reynolds :: 11th :: CS Brown High School STEM

Her Name: Rosa Grymes
Her Occupation: Research Scientist
Employer or Department where she works: NASA

Why do you want to be like her?
Growing up, my mother always raised me to beat the odds. Until this very day, I continue to do that just like Rosa Grymes. Rosa Grymes had to overcome obstacles such as: being a woman in science and reentry after taking time out for childrearing. These obstacles were very hard to overcome. I aspire to be like her because no matter what she was challenged with, she beat the odds. What really inspires me about her is that she’s African American too. So not only was she a female, but she was black too. Another thing that I like is the advice she provided in the last paragraph. The phrase that stuck out to me most was “Always try to put yourself in a position where you are constantly learning.” I couldn’t agree more. I love learning. I aspire to learn something new.

3rd Place :: Aniya Jones :: 12th :: CS Brown High School STEM

Her Name: Lenore Jackson
Her Occupation: User Consultant/Information Specialist
Employer or Department where she works: NASA Science Internet

Why do you want to be like her?
Lenore Jackson is the perfect advocate of who I want to become. She demonstrated leadership, determination, and companionship. She overcame obstacles & criticism even from her own peers, but she never let the doubt from others deprived her from her dreams. Being that Lenore was an African American, the discouragement of women in different fields weighed heavily on society. However, she possesses the strong characteristics that paved a way for more black women. She spoke wisdom as well. She gave her knowledge to others to become great as well. Lenore Jackson is an astonishing woman who reassures me that women can be great, in any field. It is my desire to be like her.

Her Name: Denise Stephenson-Hawk
Her Occupation: Board Member of NOAA
Employer or Department where she works: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Science Advisory Board

Why do you want to be like her?
I want to be like her not because she succeeded in life, but because she came from nowhere. She came from a segregated school but it didn’t affect her. Which shows that anything thrown at you can’t stop you from pursuing and excelling at academics or something you like. Her confidence and energy shows that you can do the most when you put your heart and energy in. Even if people throw obstacles at you to bring you down. I want to be like her because she shows that women have enough strength to be independent and be what they want and do it how they want.