High School Student Shines Light On South Jersey School, Women In STEM

CAMDEN, NJ — A Camden high school senior was able to review more than 15 acceptance letters and $1 million in scholarships as she looks to continue carving the future for her and other young women.

Samantha Morales goes to LEAP Academy University School, a public charter facility that serves kids from infants through grade 12 in the city.

The program, which began in 1997, is aimed at enhancing career opportunities for African Americans and Latinos living in urban and vulnerable environments.

Morales, with her 4.11 GPA and multiple university-level courses already behind her, is also on track to be a first-generation college student with her loved ones right beside her every step of the way.

"This school is very family-oriented, and my family was always involved in field trips and other school events," Morales told Patch.

Now that she's chosen to continue her journey at Widener University, she is ready to ignite her goal of breaking barriers that stretch way outside of the Philadelphia region.

Morales is going into the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) field, an area of study historically underserved by Hispanic women.

"Being Latina and a high achiever in STEM shows that I am just as capable as anyone else in the field," said Morales. "I have an amazing opportunity to pursue engineering and gain more knowledge."

According to the American Cancer Society, an assessment of the field in 2021 showed women accounted for 38 percent of America's physicians and surgeons, 16 percent of astronomers and physicists, 27 percent of conservation scientists and foresters, 15 percent of engineers and architects, and 19 percent of software developers.

Hispanics, overall, represented less than 10 percent of each of these categories.

Scholars point to the lack of representation in major publications and extracurricular programs for middle-school-aged kids as to why this gap is present.

Among other points, the lack of effective mentorship and coaching was another area of deficiency, according to the American Cancer Society, that is not currently reaching Hispanic youth.

Morales wants to change this.

"I'd like to share my story with others in the community and use my connections and skills to help other women pursuing careers in STEM," she added.

Among the big goals and journey that is just beginning, Morales told Patch that she just wants others to know that they, too, can do it, and she's just a regular South Jersey girl.

When she's not at Cherry Hill Mall hanging out with friends or having a picnic along the Cooper River, you might catch her skating at Millenium in Camden or securing the volleyball net at the KROC Center.

To refuel her performance on the court or in the classroom, a hoagie from "Montegrillo Cucina Italiana" or shrimp pho from "Thai Son" does the trick.

To learn more about the opportunities afforded to students and their families at LEAP Academy, visit the school's website at leapacademycharter.org.

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