Photo provided by 
Economic Alliance
Economic Alliance presented one of the Washington Rising Stem Awards to Katie Larios, a senior at Mountlake Terrace High School.

Photo provided by Economic Alliance Economic Alliance presented one of the Washington Rising Stem Awards to Katie Larios, a senior at Mountlake Terrace High School.

Mountlake Terrace High School senior wins state STEM award

Katie Larios was honored at an Economic Alliance gathering: “A champion for other young women of color in STEM.”

MOUNTLAKE TERRACE — High school senior Katie Larios was drawn to math and science at an early age.

But as a young student, she was “scared away by the fact that I didn’t really see anyone who looked like me in STEM classes,” Larios said. So it didn’t take long for her to drop out of her first STEM class.

At Mountlake Terrace High School, she found a welcoming environment.

She now leads the school’s Latino Student Union and Feminism Club.

This year, she added Washington STEM Rising Star Award to the list.

Larios is one of 11 winners across the state. The award highlights young women who embrace the study of science, technology, engineering and math.

Candidates are nominated by local education, community and business leaders.

Founded in 2011, the nonprofit encourages girls and young women to explore those disciplines.

“Larios brings spirit and perseverance to her computer science courses,” the group said in a statement. “She is a champion for other young women of color in STEM.”

Larios, who won the Snohomish Region award, was honored at an Economic Alliance Snohomish County gathering held Feb. 21 at Tulalip Resort Casino.

“She is a champion for other young women of color in STEM,” said Jennifer McLoud-Mann, who presented the award.

McLoud-Mann, who described herself as “a proud Native American,” is a professor of mathematics and currently serves as interim dean for the school of STEM at the University of Washington Bothell.

Larios accepted the honor via video presentation.

“I truly give so much credit to my teachers and classmates for being incredibly supportive of everything I do,” she said. “Because of that, I want to create a welcoming environment for all women who want to pursue STEM and all POC.”

Brandon Owings, who teaches computer science at Mountlake Terrace High School, nominated Larios.

“I came to know Katie when she signed up for Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles,” Owings wrote. “When she started the class, she had never tried programming. She never gave up, and her perseverance led to success in my class as well as the AP exam.

“Now I have her in AP Computer Science A, and as an officer in the feminism club and the Latino Student Union, she is one of the greatest advocates for new women of color in STEM.”

One of Larios’ favorite films is “Hidden Figures,” which follows the trials and successes of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson, “three amazing, talented, insanely smart women who worked behind the scenes at NASA when we launched the first American to space,” Larios said. “Just seeing those three women work so hard despite having so many odds against them is just super inspiring.”

For more information, go to washingtonstem.org

Janice Podsada: 425-339-3097; jpodsada@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @JanicePods.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Alina Langbehn, 6, center, and Vera A., 6, right, sit on a swing together at Drew Nielsen Neighborhood Park after school on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council votes to renovate Drew Nielsen Park

Construction on the $345,000 upgrade could start as early as this fall.

Northshore School District bus driver Stewart O’Leary pictured next to his buses shattered drivers side windshield on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Put me in, coach’: Bus driver back at work after struck by metal bar

Stewart O’Leary, a Northshore employee, has received national attention for his composure during a frightening bus trip.

Lynnwood councilor Joshua Binda speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Does the Lynnwood Council VP live in Lynnwood? It’s hard to say.

Josh Binda’s residency has been called into question following an eviction and FEC filings listing an Everett address. He insists he lives in Lynnwood.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

Aaron Kennedy / The Herald
The Joann Fabric and Crafts store at 7601 Evergreen Way, Everett, is one of three stores in Snohomish County that will close as part of the retailer’s larger plan to shutter more than half of its stores nationwide.
Joann store closure plan includes Everett, Arlington, Lynnwood locations

The retail giant filed a motion in court to close approximately 500 stores in the U.S.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.