Highland Springs student named a winner in statewide STEAM essay contest

A Highland Springs student was one of 10 winners statewide in the Virginia Council on Women’s 15th Annual STEAM-H (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics, and Healthcare) Essay Contest.

Zakiyyah Foster-Rasheed of Highland Springs High School was one of two winners in Central Virginia. Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger and First Gentleman Adam Spanberger hosted all 10 contest winners at the Executive Mansion this month in Richmond.

The Virginia Council on Women established the contest in 2012 to award scholarships to high school junior and senior girls planning to pursue STEAM-H careers at institutions of higher education, including four-year colleges and universities, community colleges, and career and technical schools.

This year, more than 300 young women statewide submitted essays about why they want to pursue a STEAM-H career. To date, the Council has awarded more than $225,000 in scholarships through this annual essay contest.

“The winners of this essay contest are future scientists, teachers, researchers, and inventors who will work throughout the commonwealth to solve problems and transform lives,” said Spanberger. “Thank you to the Council on Women for the hard work you put into inspiring the next generation of leaders. The young women being celebrated this year — and every Virginian who submitted their work — make me confident that our future is in good hands.”