On May 7, the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry recognized 13 outstanding Missouri students for committing to further their education in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math.
The third annual Missouri STEM Signing Day award ceremony was a virtual event livestreamed on Facebook to cap off a full week of showcasing STEM from around the state on social media to promote STEM careers.
The Missouri Chamber Foundation’s Mathematics and Science Coalition, in partnership with the Boeing Company, launched STEM Signing Day in 2019 to raise awareness of STEM opportunities for students beyond high school. Each STEM Signing Day awardee received a $1,000 scholarship and signed a letter of intent to study a STEM field at their postsecondary education institution of choice.
“The chronic shortage of talent that many Missouri employers experience is especially pronounced in STEM sectors. Tackling this became one of the Missouri Chamber’s key focuses, which among many other initiatives led to the creation of this event three years ago,” said Daniel P. Mehan, Missouri Chamber President and CEO. “Borrowing the concept of a signing day from the world of athletics, we wanted to give Missouri’s high school STEM stars the same recognition as their athlete peers. This program allows us to not only celebrate the students graduating this year, but also broadcast the limitless STEM career possibilities to young minds across the state.”
Gov. Mike Parson, a champion for workforce development and strong proponent of STEM career pathways, gave remarks for the event.
“I have great faith in these students and the thousands of other STEM students graduating high school this spring. They represent the best and brightest that Missouri has to offer, and I’m thrilled that they’ve chosen to continue their education and eventually pursue a career in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics,” Gov. Parson said. “As we honor the graduates, I encourage them all to continue growing, learning, and using their unique skills to help move Missouri forward. Congratulations and best of luck!”
This year’s program was offered in partnership with the Boeing Company, Orscheln Industries, Missouri Dept. of Higher Education and Workforce Development and Cerner.
“As we look forward to the future, we celebrate you, our future leaders and innovators of tomorrow,” Steve Parker, vice president and general manager of Boeing Bombers and Fighters in St. Louis, told the scholarship recipients. “Boeing engineers, technicians, program managers and all of our employees have been dreaming big for more than a century. Our future is bright and we know yours is too. Whether you use your skills to develop the next aircraft that will protect our troops on the front lines or create the next technological advancement that will revolutionize our world, STEM will help you do it.”
The scholarship applications were reviewed by a series of committees that included Missouri Commissioner of Higher Education Zora Mulligan.
“All of the applications submitted are phenomenal, but this year’s recipients truly rose to the top…We need dynamic, creative, caring, smart people like you. I look forward to seeing how you use your many talents to improve our state, the country and the world,” said Mulligan.
The awardees submitted video messages answering the question, “How do you want to change the world with STEM?” View those videos here or watch the full virtual awards ceremony here.
2021 STEM SIGNING DAY SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
