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by Susan Nasrani, Branch President

Each year Florida AAUW (American Association of University Women) has two Tech Trek camps at Florida Universities for qualified seventh grade girls to encourage them to go into math and science careers. This year the local AAUW Sun City Center SouthShore branch is sponsoring six girls. Four will attend Tech Trek camp at Stetson University in Deland the third week in June, and two will attend Florida Atlantic University in Boca Rotan the second week in June.  

The whole process started last fall when science and math teachers recommended girls with an interest in those fields. Each girl had to fill out an application and write an essay on the importance of math and science.  Then this spring each local AAUW branch interviewed their candidates and recommended those qualified.  Our local AAUW found all six of our candidates qualified and excited about math and science and recommended them for acceptance to Florida AAUW. 

Part of sponsoring these girls is giving each some of the supplies needed for camp.  This was a community effort as well as a branch one.  The members of the SouthShore Chamber of Commerce under the guidance of Melanie Davis, Executive Director, gave sleeping bags and personal care items.  

On Saturday, Angie Maze and I delivered the first bag to Khiley Thomas with her mother Nikki McDonald in Ruskin.  Later that morning, Grace Friedman and I went to Girls of the World Inc. where we got a big welcome from Lea Manningham and their two campers: Gabrielle Bradshaw and Saramyia Simpson as well as their mothers.  Their excitement about Tech Trek camp has spread to others at Girls of the World Inc.  We are excited that we are inspiring girls to go to college!  See photos below. 

Susan Nasrani, AAUW President with camper Khiley Thomas and her mother Nikki McDonald.

The third picture is SN Gabrielle Bradshaw, Saramyia Simpson and Grace Friedman, AAUW member.

The fourth picture is SN with Rhadi Ferguson.

Melanie Davis, Executive director, SouthShore Chamber of Commerce with AAUW member Kathy Eckhart with one of the sleeping bags.

New members get together with board members will be June 20 at 1:30 p.m. at Susan’s home, 373 Club Manor Drive, Sun City Center.  More later.