The DeSoto Independent School District Female Leadership Forum Southwest 20 under 20 recognition program aims to honor young female students blazing a trail in science, technology, engineering and math and/or leadership. The Top 20 Female Students in STEM and Leadership under 20 is an acknowledgment held in conjunction with the annually-held DeSoto Independent School District Leadership Forum events.
The 2017 inaugural class of award recipients are set to be recognized at the DeSoto ISD Female Leadership Forum on Sat., Oct. 21, 2017, honoring young ladies who live or attend school in Southern Dallas County who excel in STEM & Leadership.
The Female Leadership Forum is an empowerment initiative that encourages students to dream while aiming to reach their full potential. Each year, the program has a different focus aimed at engaging various interests among female students.
The Female Leadership Forum is a leadership development program for young ladies in grades five through 12 in DeSoto ISD and surrounding communities designed to empower, energize, and educate young women in their effort to battle self-esteem issues, bullying, and discouragement of pursuance of STEM fields and disciplines.
The Female Leadership Forum invites girls in the DeSoto and the surrounding communities to participate in a day of encouragement and empowerment. This event will inspire young ladies to envision their potential through exposure to real women in STEM-related fields.
The 2017 Best Southwest 20 under 20 cohort includes:
Sarah Berhe
Harmony School of Nature
Kaitlyn Malone
Cedar Hill Collegiate High School
Madison Moore
Frank D. Moates Elementary
Cordejah Walker
DeSoto High School
Lauryn Piggatt
DeSoto High School
Kayla Jackson
West Middle School
Tamyrah Forbin
Permenter Middle School
Victoria Lyons
Cedar Hill Collegiate High School
Abiba Moncriffe
West Middle School, 6th Grade
Carlyn Knight
Turning Point Christian Academy
Courtney Mathis
DeSoto High School
Kiara Jones
DeSoto High School
Monica Jones
DeSoto High School
Taylor McCowan
DeSoto High School
Jadan Crow
DeSoto High School
Cara James
Cockrell Hill Elementary
A’Myrie Freeny
DeSoto High School
Laila Harrell
McCowan Middle School
Jacey Edward
Townview Engineering Magnet
Shannon Lewis
Cedar Hill Collegiate High School
The 2017 Southwest 20 under 20 cohort will participate in a photo shoot alongside professional women from various industries across Dallas/Fort Worth. This special group of young scholars will also be recognized at the Oct. 21 Female Leadership Forum to be held at DeSoto High School.