Sawyer Barton, a 2024-2025 Senior from Deer Park High School has been named the 2024 Washington STEM Rising Star awardee for the region.
The Washington STEM Rising STAR award is presented by Washington STEM to “honor girls who embrace STEM education and who explore STEM in ways that will support their education, career, personal development, and the development and needs of others.”
Sawyer was nominated by her teacher Natalie Roy for her contributions, achievements and perseverance in a STEM area. Sawyer’s passion for learning, engaging and exploring in or outside of the classroom is to be commended.
Recipients of the Washington STEM Rising Star Award receive:
- A cash award of $500
- The title of “Washington STEM Rising Star” for the 2024-25 school year and certificate
- A branded swag box full of goodies and STEM-centric items
- Featured in Washington STEM’s website on a curated profile page and in a special social media campaign about Rising Star Award winners
- The opportunity to attend the Washington STEM Summit Luncheon on Microsoft Bellevue campus on November 7, 2024
“Congratulations to Sawyer Barton, whose development of projects that serve her community are area families are an inspiration,” said Rebecca Clemens, Education & Talent Manager, Career Connect NE and Greater Spokane Inc. “We are proud to support projects like this through Career Connect NE which provides career-connected-learning and STEM experiences across the Spokane region.”
Washington STEM Rising Stars are high school freshmen, sophomores, or juniors who identify as girls/young women, who embrace STEM education, and who explore STEM in ways that will support their education, career, personal development, and the development and needs of others. This is Washington STEM’s fourth year hosting this event in collaboration with STEM Networks across Washington to acknowledge young women working to leverage STEM in service of their communities, highlight the next generation of leaders, and also raise awareness within a critical priority population still underrepresented in STEM fields.
The data show that a strong cradle-to-career STEM education prepares students for high-demand, better-paying jobs. Washington state ranks among the top states in the nation in the concentration of STEM jobs and opportunities are increasing rapidly. By 2030, more than 70% of these well-paying jobs will require education beyond high school in the form of a 2- or 4-year degree or certificate and 68% will require STEM credentials or STEM literacy.
