AAUW honors five local scholars in STEM fields on April 13

The Ritzville chapter of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) is honoring five local young women who have been selected for the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) AAUW Scholars Program.

The five young women and their parents are honored guests at the April 13 meeting of the AAUW Ritzville chapter.

The program begins promptly at 6 p.m. and includes dinner and a meeting at the Emanuel Lutheran Church in Ritzville.

The Lind-Ritzville High School students selected by teachers to receive this recognition are: Tessa Jantz for Science, Hannah Deckard for Technology and Erica Leffel for Math.

The Sprague High School students who have also been selected by educators to receive this recognition are Tommi Swannack for Science and Leann Harlan for Math.

Jantz is the daughter of Donna Koch and Steve Jantz and is active in FFA, volleyball, basketball, golf and dance. After high school, she plans to attend college to major in nursing.

Deckard is the daughter of Karin McFadden and she is active in art, tennis, studying floriculture and computer science, and also participated in the Washington Aerospace Scholars program. After high school, she plans to study computer science at a trade school or community college to be economical.

Leffel is the daughter of Jim and Diane Leffel and she participates in volleyball, track and field, dance, FFA, basketball and is a teaching assistant for the kindergarten class. After high school, Leffel wants to attend a four-year university to study a job where she can work with children, like a nurse or a teacher.

Swannack is the daughter of Holly and Tom Swannack and she is active in rodeo, hunting, competitive shooting, basketball and band. She plans to attend Walla Walla Community College to participate in college rodeo, before transferring to Eastern Washington University to study to become a dental hygienist.

Harlan is the daughter of Sheila and Gary Martin and has participated in cheerleading, tennis and band. Harlan plans to attend college after she graduates from high school.

The AAUW Scholars Program honors young women who excel in the STEM fields and encourages them to continue their studies and careers in those categories at the college level.

The mission of the AAUW is to advance equality for all females through advocacy, education and research.