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Players spend countless hours perfecting their football skills inside the Seattle Seahawks training facility in Renton, Washington. So, it’s only fitting that high school seniors from across Washington also gathered there to commit to honing their own skills with a focus on scoring a promising future in STEM careers.

�Ӱ���Ƶ, , and local education leaders recognized 32 students during Washington State STEM Signing Day on June 4 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton.

Like college signing days for athletes, the event showcased the next generation of STEM leaders. Each honoree signed a letter indicating their intent to pursue STEM at a college, university or technical school.

The students will major in STEM subjects, including aerospace, engineering, astrophysics, cybersecurity, chemistry, and more. They plan to attend colleges and universities in Washington and beyond, including the University of Washington, Central Washington University, Everett Community College, Princeton, Caltech, and others.

Speakers included Washington State Representative Vandana Slatter; Pat Cazeau, �Ӱ���Ƶ Test & Evaluation senior director; Gina Breukelman, �Ӱ���Ƶ Global Engagement senior manager and Dareke Young, Seattle Seahawks wide receiver.

“Our most valuable super-power here in Washington State, just like at �Ӱ���Ƶ, is our people,” Cazeau said to the student honorees. “Let me say to the bright minds and problem-solvers sitting in the front of this room, we know you will do great things.”

�Ӱ���Ƶ has been a proud supporter of STEM Signing Day since 2017. Over the last seven years, more than 2,600 students have been recognized at STEM Signing Day events nationwide.

“We are thrilled to celebrate the hard work and potential of these ambitious future STEM leaders,” said Breukelman, “I am confident their journeys and careers will play a pivotal role in positively shaping our communities and our future.”

Meet just a few of the Washington State STEM Signing Day honorees:

Name: Xavier Nishikawa
High School: Bellevue Big Picture School
Signing with: Olin College of Engineering
Intended Major: Electrical and Computer Engineering
Xavier says: “I wanted to follow a STEM pathway because it gave me an opportunity to actually use the creative side of my brain and translate it to something tangible.”

Name: Nikhita Penugonda
High School: Interlake High School
Signing with: Caltech
Intended Major: Astrophysics
Nikhita says: “To those considering a career in STEM, I say go for it! I think the beauty of STEM is that it’s vast and interdisciplinary.

Name: Pranavi Rohit
High School: Eastlake High School
Signing with: Carnegie Mellon University
Intended Major: Electrical/Computer and Biomedical Engineering
Pranavi says: “I’m following a STEM pathway because it means I can follow my curiosity — continuing my journey as an engineer to become a changemaker, capable of transforming the commonplace in nature into innovation for humanity.”

Name: Cliffton Hedwood II
High School: Graham-Kapowsin High School
Signing with: Clover Park Technical College
Intended Major: Cybersecurity
Cliffton says: I have found that the STEM field is hungry for diversity. Don’t overwhelm yourself thinking that you must know everything; you don’t! Technical skills can be learned.

Name: Kevin Nguyen
High School: Hanford High School
Signing with: Washington State University
Intended Major: Mechanical Engineering
Kevin Says: “To high schoolers who have an interest in STEM but an uncertainty about pursuing it, I say the best way to be sure is to try it out! Whether it be a science class, a robotics club, or an internship, explore your curiosity!”

By Paul Custodio