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.
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