Girls Inc. First Graduates of College-Bound Program

Source: Girls Inc of Carpinteria

Strong, smart, and bold girls from the inaugural cohort of Girls Inc. of Carpinteria’s Eureka! Program will be walking the campuses of some of the top colleges in the state in just a few months, the nonprofit organization announced today. The first group of participants from the college-bound program proudly walked the stage this month to receive their high school diplomas and is eagerly preparing for college in the fall.

Eureka is five-year program that emphasizes college readiness and breaks gender stereotypes by encouraging girls to explore career paths in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields. The program is designed to enable girls to overcome barriers to their achievement by providing a continual support system along with opportunities to develop the skills, knowledge and attitudes they need to thrive.

“Programs like Eureka are instrumental in ensuring girls graduate from high school, and by exposing them to college and career experiences early on, they are also prepared to successfully complete their post-secondary education,” said Victoria Juarez, executive director of Girls Inc. Carpinteria. “Our focused, multi-year effort encourages girls to step outside their comfort zones, establish life goals and helps build their confidence in achieving these goals so they can begin envisioning their own paths to success.”

Girls Inc. of Carpinteria launched the Eureka program in 2012 to provide leadership and education enhancement opportunities for teen girls, beginning the summer before their eighth grade year and seeing them through the end of high school.

The program kicks off with two consecutive summers spent at UCSB, and includes meetings with mentors, STEM engagement, field trips, and college tours throughout the year. In the third year of programming, participants shift their focus to the workplace with an immersive summer externship. The fourth and fifth years are committed to seeing the girls through to high school graduation and supporting them and their families as they navigate the college application process.

“We’re incredibly proud of our first cohort of girls for everything they have accomplished and the milestones they’ve reached,” Juarez added. “We know they will thrive in higher education and will soon be inspiring the next generation of young girls.

The program currently serves 76 local girls.

Following are the college-bound graduates of the Girls Inc.’s first Eureka cohort class: