Amanda, Grade 11
I am an AACPS: Student, North County High School
I’m thankful to grow up and have the opportunity to be involved in programs such as the STEM Magnet Program in my high school career. Although my attitude towards it hasn’t always been this splendid, it has been a valuable experience. Coming from Chesapeake Science Point Middle School and meeting friends that I have carried on with to this day, I was dreading the day of promotion. All the students had different home schools that they would be attending. Looking forward to being with friends at my homeschool (Arundel), it was a tough decision to choose where to spend my upcoming academic years attending. Of course parents like mine encouraged us 8th graders to apply to the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Magnet Program at North County and International Baccalaureate (IB) Magnet Program at Meade. Fortunately, I was granted a spot in both of programs. But being at such a young age, I decided to be a part of the STEM program because.
After maturing and developing into the person I am today, I believe it has opened doors and granted me so much preparation for the years to come. My freshman year I was given the opportunity to take AP Human Geography — not many students are given this opportunity. Looking back, I have to say this is by far my favorite class I’ve taken in high school. Growing up with a brother also interested in science propelled me to join the Green Technology Pathway my sophomore year.
Currently in my junior year I’m taking an Environment and Society class specific for the Green Technology Pathway. Not only has this class opened up my mind on global issues involving the environment but it encouraged me to be more involved in these issues. Also, junior year is the start of a community challenge project. This is a semester long course that inspires students to take action on school, community, state, and global wide issues. The class teaches students to use their time wisely, improve their professional writing abilities, and challenge themselves to think outside the box. Personally, my challenge was to design and create a budget for an outdoor classroom at North County High School. To this day, I’ve created a design, budgeted, and reached out to students and faculty about implanting an outdoor classroom. I’m very thankful to be involved in the development of such a rewarding project. With an internship being a requirement to receive a STEM diploma, this Spring I’ve recently accepted an internship in the Anne Arundel County Public Schools Partnership, Development, and Marketing Department. Now, only a couple weeks in, I’m quickly realizing that the experience and knowledge gained will follow me throughout my career.
Looking into the next couple years, I hope to be studying nursing at a university. STEM has prepared me to do so by giving me connections and opportunities that I won’t forget. Playing varsity sports every year of my high school career and being a part of the STEM program it has helped me become a wonderful student athlete. Of the many things I’ve learned in the past years is that my parents were right to inspire me to apply and I’m forever grateful.
