Seven students from Southern Local Jr. High School attended the Northeast Ohio STEM Goes Red for Girls Experience at t the NEW Center at Northeast Ohio Medical University, on Dec. 9, where they heard inspiring presentations and took part in interactive events designed to expose females to take control of their health and hold future careers in STEM. Pictured are, from left, Katie Kellogg, Addysin Andrenok, Emma Boyle, Miss Ohio 2024 Stephanie Finotti, April Beadnell, Eliana Forbes, Payton Davison and Peyton Dowling. (Submitted photo)

SALINEVILLE — Female students at Southern Local Jr. High School learned there are a world of opportunities when it comes to future careers during the Northeast Ohio STEM Goes Red for Girls Experience on Dec. 9.

Seven seventh- and eighth-grade girls attended the event, which was hosted by the American Heart Association and Go Red for Women at the NEW Center at Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED). The event, which was launched in 2017, drew hundreds of students and educators from Columbiana, Portage, Trumbull, Mahoning, Stark and Summit counties for seminars led by women in STEM careers as well as breakout sessions and vendor booths for more interactive learning. Some of the fun activities included creating lip balm, virtual reality experiences and learning CPR. The purpose of the event was to empower the students to take control of their health and their future.

Presenters included Dr. Christina Dascenzo, chair of STEM Goes Red for Girls; Miss Ohio 2024 Stephanie Finotti and Lisa Wheeler-Cooper, executive director of the Northeast Ohio AHA. According to statistics, women occupy nearly half of all jobs but roughly 30 percent of STEM careers. The idea is to open doors and create opportunities and jobs so females can contribute to the many aspects of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Amanda Wrobleski, SLJHS science teacher, said it was the first time the school participated and it was an exciting way to introduce the pupils to the possibilities of STEM.

“[The event] is to expose young girls to STEM careers, and the earlier they are exposed to STEM, the more likely they will enter that career path,” Wrobleski added. “The number of women is increasing in STEM careers. We’re not where we want to be but we’re getting closer.”

She noted that a highlight of the day was when she was approached by Wheeler-Cooper to feature a student in a TV news interview, then eighth-grader Emma Boyle got the chance to share her thoughts with the media. Boyle, who was joined by classmates Peyton Dowling, April Beadnell, Addysin Andrenok, Eliana Forbes, Katie Kellogg and Payton Davison for the excursion, said she inspired by the sessions.

“They all had very inspiring stories,” said Boyle, who aims to become a cardiothoracic surgeon. “Miss Ohio’s parents emigrated from Brazil and she does ballet and is a biochemistry major at the University of Cincinnati. It was a great opportunity for all of us.”

“It was amazing. I loved it,” added Dowling, as she noted her excitement about holding a human heart and learning about Finotti’s strong work ethic. “I liked Miss Ohio because she got straight to the point. I really liked everything.”

Dowling expressed interest in becoming a nurse practitioner while Beadnell eyed a future as an ER nurse.

“It was the best field trip I’ve ever been on,” Beadnell said. “Miss Ohio was very inspiring.”

“Just for girls to be exposed to NEOMED was great because it has created some of the best doctors in the world,” Wrobleski interjected. “It was top notch.”

The girls said the largest takeaway was Finotti’s focus to build up females in STEM: “If you can see her, create her.”