Dear Esteemed panel of the EDSA Club,

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       Over the summer, I was blessed to be able to participate in a week-long summer program for young teenage women called The Energy Diamonds Sustainability Ambassadors at Science Park High School in the great and historic city of Newark, NJ. At first, I had to think about it because I didn't think it would be for me. I didn’t know much about how solar panels or how the sewer systems worked but once I was invited to the program, it was all so very interesting and very informative. I didn’t know that there was a club for young, minority girls, like myself, that would help me have a strong chance to have a future career in industries that, historically, are groomed for men. Now, because of the EDSA, I HAVE THAT CHANCE!!!

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       A few weeks before school started, I received an email about an invitation to compete for a chance at a summer internship program for EDSA Club. The person with the best essay would be awarded the internship. Win, lose, or draw, I couldn’t pass up an opportunity like this, knowing how great of an experience the week-long summer program was. We received 3 essay questions. All of which I will answer to the best of my ability.

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       Question 1. In what ways have you grown your skill set or experience in the Steam camp? The ways that I've grown my skill set was by learning about solar panels, sewer systems, nuclear energy, etc. Learning about these different topics better helps me appreciate the world and how I can do my part to make it a better, cleaner, and safer planet.

       Question 2. What impact as a female do you expect this program to have? As a black female myself, this program has a really strong impact on my life moving forward. After being a part of the program, it taught me more about how Black and Latino women can be more confident in knowing that we can have these careers too, NOT JUST MEN!!!

       Question 3. What will you do to promote STEAM in your life? STEAM will always hold a special place in my heart. One day, there will be a young Black or Latino young lady joining this club that will have the same questions and curiosities that we all had at one point. Knowing that I can hold her hand and mentor her makes me extremely excited. I will help and do everything I can to promote this program.

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In conclusion, MINORITY GIRLS ROCK!!!

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Thank you,

Jaylyn A. Jackson