Local Teens Shine in STEM
In a significant achievement for local education, two high school juniors from Alachua County have been honored as Sunshine State Scholars, a prestigious recognition for top students in STEM fields. The recipients are Navya Goyal from Gainesville High School and Amy Xiao from Buchholz High School. They were selected based on their academic excellence, extracurricular activities, and essays addressing critical STEM issues in the U.S.
Navya Goyal: A Rising Leader in STEM
Navya is part of the rigorous Cambridge Program at her school and has already earned seven college credits. She is an active member of the Psi Alpha Honor Society and leads the STEM Club. Navya has received numerous awards in math, science, and business since elementary school, even reaching the national level in a major competition.
Beyond academics, Navya is deeply committed to community service. She volunteers as a tutor, works as a research intern, and has contributed over 350 hours to a local sewing center.
In her essay, Navya addressed the issue of misinformation in STEM subjects. She proposed using AI to help people find accurate information and advocated for media literacy education to help others critically evaluate online content.
Amy Xiao: A Multifaceted Scholar and Leader
Amy is excelling in challenging courses and maintains a high GPA. She is involved in multiple school teams and clubs, including the math team, science team, school bands, and Music Honor Society. Amy has won awards at the national, state, and regional levels.
In addition to her academic achievements, Amy tutors at a local center and works as a research intern at the University of Florida.
Amy’s essay focused on the declining performance of American students in math and science. She believes this is a pressing issue and aims to improve STEM education by teaching younger students and enhancing her own skills.
A Bright Future Ahead
Both Navya and Amy will attend a two-day program in Orlando, where they will:
- Meet with STEM employers and college representatives
- Participate in workshops on college applications and funding
- Engage in networking and professional development opportunities
STEM fields are crucial for the future, and these two students exemplify how hard work, passion, and leadership can lead to success. They are not just outstanding scholars but also community leaders dedicated to making a difference.
