Save the date for the 27th Annual Nacogdoches AAUW Expanding Your Horizons Conference, February 26, 2021
Thank you so much to our wonderful sponsors, volunteers, presenters, and young ladies that participated in a successful 2020 Expanding Your Horizons Conference.
Expanding Your Horizons
More than 400 middle school students attended the Expanding Your Horizons Conference for girls Saturday, Feb. 29 at SFA. Sponsored by the Nacogdoches branch of the American Association of University Women, EYH is an opportunity for girls in grades 6 to 8 to explore different careers. Thirty-five presenters offered 45-minute sessions on Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, Architecture and Construction, Arts and Communication, Business, Education, Finance, Government, Health Science, Hospitality, Human Services, Information Technology, Law, Public Safety, Marketing and STEM fields. Students came from school districts throughout East Texas, with one group coming from Louisiana. Dr. Katherine Whitbeck, AAUW President, said she appreciated the caliber of the many presenters who were in attendance, and she received positive feedback from the girls.
“I hope this was a chance for the girls to explore and consider careers they never thought of,” she said. “I hope the presenters were able to experience the joy that comes from influencing someone’s future career.” What Dr. Whitbeck enjoyed most about the event was the energy and excitement of teaching and learning. Dr. Whitbeck noted how many of the presenters for EYH came from NISD. “Dr. Audrey Young and Ms. Debbie Crenshaw are great recruiters; and the teachers at NHS, and other leaders at NISD, have a strong commitment to educating all of our students,” she said.
NISD sent the following presenters – From food service: Robin Thacker; from Student Support Services: Ruby Ramon, Lauren Sieja, Kayla Hughes, Terri Eastepp, Dr. Lisa McCleary and Dr. Audrey Young; from NISD Police, Carolyn Meredith; from administration, Linda Autrey, Kiersten Morris and Erin Windham; and from Nacogdoches High School: Coy Van Valkenburgh, Jan Holland, Roya Dinbali and Emily Taravella. The NISD educators were not only able to speak of their experiences as educators, but also of their prior experiences working in other fields.
Other presenters were Tally Stout, Donna Work, Christy Turner, Olivia Kiristy, Dr. Maggie Leysath, Patti Goodrum, Karla Hollins, Amanda Daughtery, Paige Patillo, Dr. Kelly Moon, Michelle Key, Hailey Johnson, Sarah Staub, Summer Koltonski, Melinda Watts, Charnaa Dejean, Yuka Shimada, Brittany Torres, Kelli Pool, Hannah Hickman, Mary Mocniak, Makala Valdez, Patsy Agplaza, Melanie Ramsey, Gracie Chauncey, Bernice Saenz, Nola Schmidt, Leah Kahn and Susan Reily.
All of the presenters were women who are leaders in their careers, who serve as role models for young women in middle school, Dr. Whitbeck said. She said she encourages women to consider joining AAUW. “If you are an advocate for the equity of all people, join AAUW,” she said. “Anyone with an associate or higher post-secondary degree may join.” Dr. Whitbeck said serving as president this year is a welcome opportunity, and she enjoys being surrounded by capable talented professionals and being an advocate for girls and women.
Article: Middle school girls explore careers at Expanding Your Horizons
2018 EYH
About 400 sixth to eighth grade girls were in attendance, seen here taking a picture at the Surfin’ Steve Statue.