June 28, 2025
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Lake County Journal

Hultgren hosts Women in STEM panel

U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren hosted a STEM Scholars graduation ceremony recently at FONA International in Geneva. The inaugural class participated in a year-long STEM immersion experience. Pictured are Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti (from left), Ben Tholen, Trisha Sudhakar, Josie Reed, Eric Naumann, Kyle Hines, Daniel Napierkowski, Therese Hein, Ally Bowgren, Faith Twardzik, Claire Garretson, Evan Pasero, Patrick Stephen and Hultgren. Not pictured are Emma Keicher, Lucas Kulesza, Kevin Margis, Mary Pelzer, Andrew Stutesman and Kate Thompson.

GENEVA – U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren recently hosted a Women in STEM panel discussion and STEM Scholars graduation ceremony featuring keynote speaker Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti and women STEM professionals from the Chicago area at FONA International in Geneva.

The event celebrated the inaugural class of STEM Scholars, a 14th Congressional District youth leadership program encouraging high school students to become ambassadors of science, technology, engineering and mathematics education.

“Following our many meetings and visits to local businesses, educational institutions, national labs and more, it is clear these students are destined for great things in STEM, and I look ahead to see where their education and careers take them,” Hultgren said.

During her address, Sanguinetti noted the future of the state depended on youth developing their skills to think critically in a variety of ways and in a variety of industries.

After the graduation ceremony, Hultgren co-moderated a panel to discuss women in the STEM workforce with Annie Hubbard, a sophomore studying aerospace engineering at the University of Alabama. The all-female panel discussed how they were inspired to pursue STEM careers, how these jobs will change over the next five years, how important mentorships are for growth and more.

Panelists included Aneesa Muthana, president and owner of Pioneer Service Inc. and board member of the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center; Rose of Sharon DeVos of Pioneer Service Inc.; Arlene Hawks of SciTech Museum; and Hannah Rueger of FONA International.

STEM Scholars included Kevin Margis, who attends Warren Township High School; Claire Garretson of Crystal Lake, who is home-schooled; and Audrey Godsell, who attends Crystal Lake South.

Scholars also included Ally Bowgren, Daniel Napierkowski and Evan Pasero, who attend Batavia High School; Therese Hein (Geneva); Kyle Hines (Parkview Christian Academy in Yorkville); Emma Keicher (Sycamore); Lucas Kulesza of West Chicago, who is home-schooled; Eric Naumann and Ben Tholen (Yorkville); Mary Pelzer (Joliet West); Josie Reed (Oswego East); Patrick Stephen (Bartlett); Andrew Stutesman (St. Charles North); Trisha Sudhakar (Illinois Math and Science Academy); Kate Thompson (Marian Central Catholic); and Faith Twardzik, who is home-schooled and also attends Yorkville High School.

Hultgren is now accepting applications for the 2017-18 #STEMScholars class.