On Friday, March 15, Ojai Valley School juniors Caspian Ellis and Angela Qu were honored by the Society of Women Engineers for their academic achievements in science and math.
Every year, schools across Ventura County select one to three girls to be recognized for their passion of mathematics and the sciences. The Society of Women Engineers is a non-profit organization that seeks to empower women and encourage them to pursue a field in engineering or other science fields.
Female OVS juniors over the years have received this award, but this year the science and math teachers collectively nominated Caspian and Angela to be honored for their success and interest in those classes.
“I suggested Caspian and Angela because they were really strong ninth grade biology students,” Lisa Boyd, Upper Campus biology teacher and chorus director, said. “They’re very hardworking, conscientious, responsible, leaders in the lab, and they’re interested in math or science careers.”
Caspian was both shocked and excited when she received this award.
Caspian is taking on a number of challenging science and math courses this year and she has an interest in studying astrophysics when she goes to college. However, she thought many of her fellow classmates were equally eligible to receive this award, so she was pleased when she found out she got it.
“I was very shocked because I did not think that out of the juniors that I’d be the one who would be selected for [this award],” Caspian said. “It was also really rewarding because I hope to have a career in the sciences, so just being recognized was a really good feeling.”
Recognized students were invited to an awards ceremony at Moorpark College on March 15 to meet other students around the county and also tour the labs and the college. Caspian couldn’t make it to the ceremony, but Angela enjoyed the experience and was glad she was given the opportunity to attend and meet other girls with the same interests as her.
“I went to the award ceremony and I was glad to see and talk to so many girls who like science and math,” Angela said. “I’m very thankful the school gave me the opportunity and selected me.”