Brooklynn is a passionate, driven, and determined 5th grader. She was recently nominated by her teacher to represent her school and community at the National Youth Leadership Forum: Pathways to STEM in Los Angeles, California. This week-long program will give her the chance to stay in the dorms at Occidental College, participate in hands-on STEM activities, and develop her leadership skills alongside other motivated students from across the country.
Brooklynn has always been a leader in her school community, serving on student council, safety patrol, the green team, and as a playground monitor and library page. She also participates in competitive gymnastics and is a level 4 gymnast, having qualified for State each year since joining the team. Through gymnastics, Brooklynn has learned what it takes to put in hard work and what it truly means to lead by example.
In her own words: 'Honestly, I don’t know what I want to do when I grow up yet. What I am hoping is that through this leadership opportunity to participate in the NYL Forum for STEM, it will expose and point me in a direction that I haven’t yet thought about. Being 11 (by the time I participate in this program), means that I still have a lot of time to take in different aspects of STEM and try new opportunities out. Whatever I wind up doing in life, I know I want to be able to inspire others to be leaders in creative ways in order to work together to solve problems.'
Like any parent, we want to help our children achieve their dreams and aspirations. However, the full price of this trip is a hardship for us. We are currently on a single income while my husband is student teaching and working toward his degree. Even with a payment plan, meeting the costs is a challenge. Funds raised will help cover the program tuition, travel expenses to Los Angeles, and accommodations for me while Brooklynn attends the program. Any extra support will help offset the financial burden and make this opportunity possible for Brooklynn. We are grateful for any support you can offer to help her attend this life-changing program. If you cannot help financially at this time, please consider sharing this post so more people can see it. Your generosity will help her grow as a leader and inspire others in her community.