The Westerville Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), with cooperation from the Westerville City Schools Gifted Education Department, has awarded four $300 scholarships to the Be WISE Camp at Denison University this summer. Founded in 1881 and with nearly 1,000 branches across the country, AAUW is a national organization promoting equity and education for women and girls.
AAUW representative Claire Fohl met with the recipients and family members who attended an informational meeting and reception held on April 24. Former Blendon student, Be WISE scholarship recipient, and current Westerville South High School freshman Ruthie Curry, shared her camp experiences and explained that as a Counselor-In-Training, she would look for the young campers this summer.
With support from the Gifted Education Department and the science teachers, the recipients of the scholarships are sixth grade students:
- Margaux Guerin, Blendon (Jeffery Murdock, teacher);
- Gwen Reed, Genoa (Carla Gilbert);
- Grace Dicus, Heritage (Mary Schade); and
- Caroline Kauh, Walnut Springs (Kim Neal).
Be WISE is a mathematics, science and technology residential camp for girls entering grades 7 or 8 in the fall of 2017. It features a separate curriculum for each grade level emphasizing hands-on activities in math and science. This summer is the camp’s 28th anniversary. Since then, more than 3,000 girls have participated. The STEM camp for 140 young women will be held from June 11 - 16. For more information, please visit http://www.bewisecamp.org.