Maggie Mannella, future electrical engineer, graduated summa cum laude from Norwalk High School in Connecticut on June 17, 2022. She is the inaugural recipient of The John L. Altieri Memorial Scholarship and we are excited to put the spotlight on her today – International Women in Engineering Day 2022!
In a recent interview for our first issue of wom(EN)gineer, Maggie credited her STEM-oriented family, participation in varsity athletics (“once you are on the field you realize the difficulty of working together.”), love of music (and math), and ability to communicate as some of the keys to her success to date. Specific shout-outs went to her older sister who tutored Maggie in math (“She wanted a genius sister!”) and to her dad who shared this don’t-take-it-for-granted piece of advice: “You know, Maggie, if you want to be an engineer you have to be able talk to people.”
When asked what advice she would give young girls interested in pursuing STEM careers, she responded without missing a beat: “SPEAK UP!! Don’t be discouraged. The STEM classes are mostly guys; they might underestimate you and even try to exclude you. Don’t let them. You will do great things if you speak up.”
Maggie has clearly taken her own advice. Through the Project Lead the Way (PLTW) curriculum, she took courses including Introduction to Engineering Design, Principles of Engineering, Civil Engineering and Architecture. She also studied The Poetry of Music and Digital Communications. She was a class officer, co-president of the Earth Club, and FCIAC Scholar Athlete (field hockey); was named Historian for the National Honor Society and achieved her Seal of Biliteracy… in Latin! All with a perfect GPA.
Maggie will join the University of Connecticut’s Class of 2026 in the fall. Congratulations, Maggie, we know you will do great things!