Missouri Chamber to honor students pursing STEM careers

On June 26, the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry will recognize outstanding students from across the state for committing to further their education in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math.

The second annual Missouri STEM Signing Day award ceremony will be a virtual event livestreamed on the Missouri Chamber’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/MissouriChamber on Friday, June 26 at 11 a.m.

Inspired by signing days for athletes, the Missouri Chamber Foundation’s Mathematics and Science Coalition launched the program in 2019 to raise awareness of STEM pathways for students beyond high school.

“Whether it’s to a traditional four-year college, 2-year college or technical school — wherever their passion for STEM takes them — these incoming freshmen are the future of high-demand fields across Missouri. The Missouri Chamber and our partners are thrilled to help tomorrow’s nurses, doctors, engineers, welders, IT professionals and scientists reach their postsecondary education goals,” said Missouri Chamber President/CEO Daniel P. Mehan.

Finalists submitted video messages answering the question, “How do you want to change the world with STEM?” Those videos can be viewed here. Each student will receive a $1,000 scholarship and will sign a letter of intent to study a STEM field at their postsecondary education institution of choice.

Last year’s inaugural STEM Signing Day program awarded scholarships to 10 recipients. This year, thanks to the generosity of our partners, 25 high school graduates will receive scholarships. The Missouri Chamber offers the 2020 program in partnership with the Boeing Company, Orscheln Industries, Cerner and the Missouri Dept. of Higher Education and Workforce Development. Awardees are listed below.

2020 Missouri STEM Signing Day Virtual Event
Friday, June 26, 11:00am
Facebook.com/MissouriChamber

2020 STEM Signing Day Scholarship Recipients

• Sonya Ahmad, graduate of Timberland High School, attending University of Missouri – Kansas City to study pre-medicine & biology
• Caroline Arensberg, graduate of Park Hill High School, attending Missouri State University to study mechanical engineering
• Griffin Buschjost, graduate of Helias Catholic High School, attending Missouri University of Science and Technology to study computer science
• Donovan Dixson, graduate of Hazelwood West High School, attending Washington University to study chemical engineering
• Abigail Everett, graduate of Fair Grove High School, attending Ozarks Technical Community College to study systems engineering
• Kathryn Feeney, graduate of Scotland County R-1 High School, attending Washington University to study biomedical & mechanical engineering
• Joshua Gary, graduate of Timberland High School, attending Missouri University of Science and Technology to study aerospace engineering
• Isabelle Gilliam, graduate of Lawson High School, attending Washington University to study biomedical engineering
• Pierce Gloyer, graduate of College Heights Christian School, attending Missouri University of Science and Technology to study electrical & computer engineering
• Jesse Heath, graduate of Park Hill South High School, attending Maplewoods Community College to study computer science
• Grant Himmelmann, graduate of Fayette High School, attending University of Missouri – Columbia to study statistics
• Leilani Jarosz, graduate of Fort Zumwalt West High School, attending St. Louis College of Pharmacy to study pharmaceutical biochemistry
• Jonathan Kellhofer, graduate of Hume High School, attending State Technical College of Missouri to study computer science
• Trent Kirks, graduate of Orchard Farm High School, attending Missouri University of Science and Technology to study aerospace engineering & engineering management
• Corey Marrs, graduate of Park Hill High School, attending Missouri University of Science and Technology to study electrical & aeronautical engineering
• Aiden Pezzani, graduate of Kickapoo High School, attending Drury University to study pre-medicine
• Jazmin Renteria Gonzalez, graduate of Allen Village High School, attending University of Missouri – Columbia to study computer science
• Abby Robertson, graduate of Fort Zumwalt West High School, attending Drury University to study pre-medicine biochemistry
• Jacob Saunders, graduate of Lee’s Summit High School, attending University of Central Missouri to study cybersecurity & computer science
• Liza Schell, graduate of Jackson Senior High School, attending Missouri University of Science and Technology to study chemical engineering
• Brenden Sharp, graduate of Chillicothe High School, attending Moberly Area Community College to study computer science
• Juliana Silva, graduate of East High School, attending Johnson Community College to study computer science
• Dawson Sivils, graduate of Pleasant Hill High School, attending University of Central Missouri to study cybersecurity
• Bennett Sutton, graduate of Thomas W. Kelly High School, attending Missouri Welding Institute to study welding
• Colin Wunderlich, graduate of Cole R-V Eugene High School, University of Missouri – Kansas City attending the BA/MD program