Local teenager heading to NYC as part of a ‘unique academic and career-oriented development’ experience
Angelina Ortega says it’s going to be a “fun and exciting” summer.
Yeah, you could say that – and then some.
Ortega, a seventh-grader at A2Steam at Northside, will be spending part of that “fun and exciting” summer at St. John’s University in New York City along with other “high-achieving students” for a unique academic and career oriented development experience, National Youth Leadership Forum (NYLF): Explore STEM in New York City.
NYLF: Explore STEM is one of the Envision by WorldStrides family of programs that enable students to explore their interests and experience learning beyond the classroom.
For over 35 years, Envision by WorldStrides has empowered extraordinary students to become their best selves through programs that enable them to discover their passion, explore a career, and positively impact their world.
“What I hope to get out of the program is knowledge on a career I might want to pursue when it’s time for me to go to college,” Angelina says. “Right now that’s forensic science. I think this opportunity is the best thing that has happened to help me prepare for my future.”
Angelina, 13, was nominated to attend the forum by Mrs. Strecker, her fifth-grade teacher at Carpenter Elementary School. She says she is looking forward to gaining the knowledge of a criminal investigator that the forum provides.
“I’m grateful to have been nominated by my fifth-grade teacher for the opportunity to participate in this exciting program,” says Angelina, the daughter of Leticia and Jorge Ortega.
Angelina, who participates in Project Lead The Way (PLTW), Science Olympiad, Girl Scouts, Community Television Network (CTN), and Girls on the Run, also is passionate about reading books and programming video games.
“As an alumna of Envision myself, I am excited for Angelina Ortega to meet, work, and collaborate with other high-aspiring students from across the country,” said Amanda Freitag Thomas, SVP for Envision. “Hands down, my favorite part of attending an Envision program was being with motivated students in an environment designed to help us challenge our assumptions, meet new people, and grow. Creating that same learning environment is a central focus for all of our programs. At NYLF: Explore STEM, students build the confidence and skills needed to excel in high school, college, and the workplace. They learn how to adapt to and communicate in new situations, to new challenges, and with new people, which, given how rapidly the world is changing due to technology and innovation, are essential skills for success.”
In 2018, Envision became part of the WorldStrides family. The largest provider of educational travel and experiences in the United States, WorldStrides works with over 50,000 educators each year to help more than 550,000 students see the world—and themselves—in new ways.
For more information on Envision by WorldStrides family of programs, click HERE
