STEM Rising Star

STEM Rising Star

Know a high school student who lights up around STEM? Put their name forward.

Each year, Snohomish STEM recognizes one Snohomish County high school student as our STEM Rising Star. We look for students who are curious, driven, and using science, technology, engineering, or math to make a difference for themselves, the people around them, and their communities. Many are already on a path toward the careers that power our regional economy.

Nominations for the 2026-27 STEM Rising Star are open now through Friday, December 4, 2026.

Who’s eligible · How to nominate · Timeline · Past Rising Stars · Nominate now

What the STEM Rising Star receives

The STEM Rising Star is recognized in front of Snohomish County’s business, education, and civic leaders, and connected to the people and places shaping local careers.

• On-stage recognition at the Economic Alliance Snohomish County Annual Meeting & Snohomish County Awards in April 2027, alongside the county’s top business and community honorees
• Event invitations for the awardee, two guests, and their nominator plus one guest
• A custom award with the student’s name
• A local media interview (past Rising Stars have been featured in The Everett Herald)
• A career exploration visit opportunity matched to the student’s interests, such as a local college, apprenticeship program, or employer

Who’s eligible

Nominees must be in 10th, 11th, or 12th grade during the 2026-27 school year, attend school in Snohomish County, a young woman or gender-expansive. We especially encourage nominations of students who may be underrepresented in STEM, including students of color and students from rural or low-income communities.

A strong nominee shows one or more of the following:

• Explores STEM in or outside the classroom, such as robotics, HOSA, 4-H, or a computer science club
• Builds or creates something with STEM, like a website, a business idea, an invention, or STEM-related art
• Leads and lifts others up, such as captaining a team, mentoring younger students, or starting a club
• Uses STEM to help their family or community, through tutoring, volunteering, or solving a local problem
• Keeps growing through curiosity and persistence, sticking with STEM through challenges

Top grades are not required. We are looking for students who embrace STEM, whatever their academic record.

How to nominate

Teachers, counselors, CTE instructors, coaches, club advisors, mentors, and community leaders can all submit a nomination.

1. Pick your student. Use the eligibility list above as a guide.
2. Gather two or three examples of what they’ve done and why it stood out to you.
3. Complete the form at the bottom of this page by Friday, December 4.

If your student is selected, you’ll hear from us first. We’ll ask you to join the email thread as we share the news with the student.

Tips for a strong nomination:

• Be specific. “She rebuilt our robotics team’s drivetrain after it failed at regionals” says more than “she’s a hard worker.”
• Show impact. Who benefited from what the student did?
• Share what’s next. Mention any career or college interests you know of. It helps us plan their career exploration visit.

Timeline

The STEM Rising Star is nominated, selected, and recognized in the same school year.

Meet our STEM Rising Stars

2025-26: Harshita Sinha, Lake Stevens High School

Harshita is recognized for her energy and enthusiasm for her school’s HOSA chapter and robotics team, as well as her ambition and strong leadership skills. Read her story.

• Featured in The Everett Herald: “Harshita Sinha: Never stopping learning” 🔗

2024-25: Laasya Chintamani, Henry M. Jackson High School

Recognized for her perseverance and heart in everything she does, whether competing at an international Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) event, supporting pediatric cancer patients, or dancing. Read her story.

• Featured in The Everett Herald: “Laasya Chintamani: ‘I always loved science and wanted to help people'” 🔗

2023-24: Katie Larios, Mountlake Terrace High School

Recognized for her spirit and perseverance in her computer science courses, her school’s Feminism Club, and Latino Student Union. She is a champion for other young women of color in STEM. Read her story.

• Featured in The Everett Herald: “Mountlake Terrace High School senior wins state STEM award” 🔗

2022-23: Lizbeth Medina, Stanwood High School

Recognized for her achievements in CAD modeling and her commitment to her peers. Read her story.

2021-22: Meg Isohata, Edmonds Heights

Recognized for her strong and determined leadership of the award-winning “Atomic Robots” FIRST Tech Challenge robotics team. Read her story.

About the award

The STEM Rising Star is one of Snohomish STEM’s career-connected learning programs, which connect students with the people, employers, and pathways behind family-wage careers in Snohomish County. Snohomish STEM is the future workforce program of Economic Alliance Snohomish County, the county’s designated organization for workforce and economic development.

From 2021 to 2026, the award was part of Washington STEM’s statewide Rising Star program. Starting in 2026-27, Snohomish STEM continues it locally so Snohomish County can keep celebrating its next generation of STEM talent.

Frequently asked questions

Can a student nominate themselves? No

Can I nominate more than one student? Yes

Will the student know they were nominated? Only the awardee is contacted.

Does the student need high grades in STEM classes? No. We look for curiosity, effort, and impact, not test scores.

Is there a cost to the student or family? No. Event tickets for the awardee, their guests, and their nominator are provided.

Questions? Contact us or email info@snohomishstem.org.

Nominate a STEM Rising Star

Nominations close Friday, December 4, 2026 One nomination could open a door for a student you believe in.

Nomination Form

This form is open October 28, 2026 with nominations accepted through December 4, 2026.