Local Student Wins Chris Crane Memorial Scholarship
Local Student Wins Chris Crane Memorial Scholarship
By Tia Carol Jones
Aisha Salau was surprised when she found out that she was the recipient of the Exelon Foundation Chris Crane Memorial Scholarship. Salau, who is graduating from the Chicago Math and Science Academy, will be attending University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and majoring in computer engineering.
The Chris Crane Memorial Scholarship was established in 2020. It provides a two year or four year scholarship to students who have previously participated in the Exelon Foundation STEM Academy or Boys to STEM Academy. Scholarship recipients also have the opportunity to interview for internships at Exelon.There are 34 Chris Crane Scholars nationwide.
Salau found out about the STEM Academy program from one of her math teachers, who recommended that she participate in the program. While in the program, she learned about the energy industry and was able to connect with other students who were interested in STEM and the energy industry.
“My experience in the academy was really motivating to me because I met new friends and I learned more about climate change,” she said.
As part of the STEM Academy, Salau and her group had to focus on an area and create ways to mitigate flooding in the area.
Their solution was to create two dams close to the river and build electricity poles to provide electricity to homes in the microgrid. She said while the project was challenging, she and her team and the other participants learned how to apply engineering principles in a way that could create an impact and make a positive change. She said having her team win the competition showed that their hard work paid off.
Salau decided to apply for the Chris Crane Scholarship and had some of her mentors read her scholarship essay and guide her through the application process. She said having her mentors provide feedback and perspective was very helpful to her.
Salau said she thought that she was going in for her final interview for the scholarship, when she, in fact, was being told that she won the scholarship. She said she was nervous and when she walked in the room and saw the cardboard check, she was startled when they congratulated her. She felt at ease once she shook ComEd CEO Gil Quinones’ hand. With the scholarship, Salau receives full financial support – tuition, room and board – for up to four years.
“Receiving the scholarship will ease most of my financial burden and will also allow me to focus more on my classes. It will also motivate me to further push my education and serve as a young leader to girls who were once in my shoes,” she said.
Salau said she is looking forward to attending the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and meeting new friends, networking with her classmates, the department and her professors, and forming a stronger bond with them.
For more information about the Exelon Foundation STEM Academy, visit https://exelonstemacademy.org/girls-academy/. For more information about the Boys to STEM Academy, visit https://exelonstemacademy.org/boys-academy/
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