Tamara Scott
Class of 2015,
Osbourn Park Senior High School
Prince William County Public Schools
Tamara Scott is a 10th grader and second-year student in the Biotechnology Program at Osbourn Park High School in Manassas. This Fall she was selected as one of only two students to represent her school at the three-day STEM Education Conference at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI).
STEM emphasized the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. This year the conference theme centered on ‘Math as a Gateway to STEM Success’.
“The conference was geared mostly towards the teachers and what they could do to improve mathematics in the classroom. However, there were breakout sessions that covered topics as the Jellyfish Robotics, Fractals, 3D Printing, and more. I liked the breakout sessions because they were topics that I could relate to…”
Each speaker on the program emphasized the importance of enhancing the quality the math classroom by transforming the student experience. Speakers included Dr. Cathy Seeley, author of Faster Isn’t Smarter: Messages about Math, Teaching, and Learning in the 21st Century (2009); Salman Khan, founder of the Khan Academy and author of The One World Schoolhouse: Education Reimagined (2012); and MAJ Randall Cone, Ph.D., and Assistant Professor and Director in the Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science at VMI.
“Overall, the STEM conference was an amazing experience and an opportunity to learn a variety of new things.”
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Liliam Pacheco-Rivera
Class of 2012,
Annandale Senior High School
Fairfax County Public Schools
Liliam Pacheco-Rivera is a graduating senior from Annandale High School in Fairfax County. She is one of the recipients of the EIP Full Tuition Scholarship to George Mason University. The span of her high school 
career consisted of a lot of work and dedication to her academic studies.
“I feel blessed and happy about my EIP experience” says Liliam. “In the last 5 years I found new friendships in other students, mentors, and staff.”
For Liliam, EIP became a “second family” that she could count on for advice and guidance. “EIP not only helped me academically but also personally and socially.” Mason was not Liliam’s first choice when she was younger. She confesses that “initially it was my back-up choice, but through the years I realized that George Mason University is the best school for me…it feels like home.” She encourages other EIP students to continue to persevere in the program. Through all the sacrifices and hard work needed to achieve the goal of being the first to go to college, Liliam says, “It’s worth it all!”
Muktaru Jalloh
Class of 2012,
Wakefield Senior High School
Arlington County Public Schools
Muktaru Jalloh is a graduating senior from Wakefield High School in Arlington County. With a dream to become a high school English teacher, he will be attending Virginia Commonwealth University in the Fall. Looking back, Muktaru reflects on how his experience in EIP has taught him to be more focused and prepared for college. Last May, after fracturing his spine in a sports accident, his doctor advised against continuing his sports activities and advised him to forgo the 2011 EIP Summer Academy.
Muktaru accepted his doctor’s warning against playing sports, but when faced with the decision of not attending the Summer Academy, he could not envision a summer without EIP, his decision was clear. Muktaru attended his last Summer Academy, though he was forced to wear a back brace, he states, “I learned to adapt because I still wanted to be able to participate the way I wanted to…” In the end, it seems his decision paid off! Muktaru motivates other EIP Students by affirming that…
“EIP is an opportunity, [so] take ownership of your education!”
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