Steve Cox of the Lewisville Noon Rotary Donations Committee presented a check to Thomas White, Executive Director of Lewisville ISD Education Foundation (LEF), at last week's meeting, as the club continues to distribute more than $30,000 in grant funds to local non-profit organizations. White explained that the money would be put toward LEF's back-to-school fair, where LISD students from low income families can receive free backpacks, school supplies, haircuts, and medical screenings.

 

LNR president-elect Dennis Song presented the grant check for $1000 to Ogechi Ugwulebo, founder and national president of the Association of Nigerian Women Entrepreneurs and Professionals (ANWEP), who also was the featured speaker at last week's meeting. ANWEP provides instruction and mentorship opportunities to encourage middle school and high school age girls to become involved in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), and to consider a future career path in these fields. Ugwulebo shared that ANWEP will use the donation toward hosting a girls' July summer coding boot camp. 

 

As a young girl growing up in Nigeria, Ogechi Ugwulebo was often overlooked because of both her gender and her appearance. Strangers lauded her lighter-skinned sister as beautiful and often expressed disbelief that Ugwulebo, who had a much darker complexion, was even related. She threw herself into academics to set herself apart and took an interest in science and math. But the common mindset at the time was that investing in higher education for a girl was wasteful, because they would eventually marry and focus on a family instead of a career.

 

Fortunately, Ugwulebo's father, who held a Ph.D. in mathematics, saw his daughter's potential and encouraged her to pursue her dreams. The ambitious student went on to earn an undergraduate degree in Physics before moving to the U.S. in 1996 and earning a second bachelor's in Computer Science and Engineering and a master's degree in cyber security. She has since built a thriving career as a software engineer and information security professional, but if it weren't for an early encounter with an accomplished woman mathematician who became her first role model, her life could have turned out very different.

 

“Being a woman in STEM [Science, Technology, Engineering And Math]...I know that discriminatory stereotypes tend to keep women away from mathematics and engineering,” Ugwulebo said, during her presentation at last week's Lewisville Noon Rotary club gathering. Women in STEM careers represent only 25 percent of the workforce, she explained, with the lack of role models and mentorship being a significant deterrent.  

 

Ugwulebo took initiative to address the issue, and in 2017 founded the Association of Nigerian Women Entrepreneurs and Professionals (ANWEP). The non-profit offers a mentorship platform to spark girls’ interest in STEM and connect them with female mentors through empowerment workshops in Denton, Dallas, Collin and Tarrant counties. ANWEP's free Empower Girls program focuses on building self-confidence and emulating success to equip girls for their future career path. Empower Girls has reached more than 2,000 girls in Texas, with 80 percent of mentees enrolled in STEM programs at colleges and universities, and 20 percent in entry level STEM jobs. To learn more about the charity or get involved, visit anwep-usa.org.

Lewisville Noon Rotary recognized leaders from Troop 437 for their work in the Rotary Patriot Flag Program, one of the club’s major fundraising initiatives. Scouts BSA Troop 437 has more than 25 members, who work tirelessly, together with Scoutmaster Jason Lane (above, second from left) and other leadership, to install and pick up flags at local businesses for five major holidays. Participation in the flag program helps Boy Scouts raise money for camping trips, Eagle Scout projects, and other expenses. For more information or to get involved, visit the Patriot Flag Program page on the LNR website.

 

The Lewisville Noon Rotary took a big step to help save lives through last week's blood drive, held at the Cross Timbers YMCA in Flower Mound. We are grateful for those who volunteered—especially Rotarian Dr. Michelle Martz, who organized the event—and for everyone who signed up to give a pint and save a life!

 

Registration is open and sponsors are needed for this year's Big Fore Charity Golf Tournament on May 4th. The tournament is the Lewisville Noon Rotary club's biggest fundraiser of the year, and all net proceeds go to support more than two dozen local non-profit organizations. You can help make this year's event a big success by sharing the information with friends and colleagues, and bringing in sponsors at any level. (Pro tip: Right mouse-click the image below to save it to your computer, then use it to post on social media along with the link.) For more information, please contact Karen Johns or Rich Muller, or click on the picture of Scotty McScottsman to go to the web page with more details. (Warning: If you choose not to help support this year's event, Scotty might come after you with a nine-iron and a bad accent.)

Lewisville ISD recently announced the return of the Grand Ball, a fun-filled prom for special needs high school students. This year's event is scheduled for April 30th at Lewisville High School on Main Street and volunteers are needed to serve dinner to the students attending the event. (Dinner is generously donated by Chef Morris Salerno of Bistecca.) If you are interested, please contact Mary Jennings.