Society of Women Engineers-Rocky Mountain Section, Great Women in Engineering and Science Essay Contest Winners

The results of the 22nd annual Society of Women Engineers Rocky Mountain Section “Great Women in Engineering and Science” essay contest are in! This year’s essay contest was sponsored by the Xcel Energy Foundation. The competition was fierce again this year with a total of 117 entries from 11 schools in Colorado. A panel of 26 volunteer judges enjoyed reviewing all of the essays. Congratulations to every entrant! All participants receive a certificate of participation and a Great Women in Engineering Essay Contest portfolio.The top three award winners received a savings bond and an invitation to the Society of Women Engineers, Rocky Mountain Section award banquet held in May. The winners are: Kaitlin Howard, student at Buchanan Middle School of Wray, Colorado for her essay on Julia Morgan, 19th Century American Architect; Anna Scholfield, student at Monarch K-8 of Louisville, Colorado for her essay featuring Rachel Carson, 20th Century American Biologist; and Kira Pratt, student at Johnson Elementary of Fort Collins, Colorado for her essay on Rachel Carson, 20th Century American Biologist.This year six schools received a book for their library for outstanding participation in the essay contest. The Arickaree School of Anton had 6 entrants with 86% participation. The Buchanan Middle School of Wray had 11 entrants with 20% participation. The Denver Academy of Torah of Denver had 6 entrants with 43% participation. The Hanover Middle School of Colorado Springs had 10 entrants with 42% participation. The Johnson Elementary of Fort Collins had 72 entrants with 100% participation. The Mountain Shadows Montessori School of Boulder had 3 entrants with 100% participation.The Society of Women Engineers is a national organization of women and men who support the growth of women’s roles as engineering students and professionals. One of the society’s missions is to “inform young women, their parents, counselors and the general public of the qualifications and achievements of women engineers and the opportunities open to them.” The essay contest serves to heighten students’ awareness of these opportunities, and it is a fun learning experience, as well.