On Wednesday, October 13, the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District (PYLUSD) hosted its fourth annual Women in Industry event, an inspirational experience geared towards empowering the next generation of leaders through future-ready learning.
Hundreds of students, staff, families, and community members gathered in the PYLUSD Performing Arts Center (PAC) in order to learn from this year’s respected panel of eight female professionals who represent a variety of diverse industry sectors.
To begin the event, Esperanza High School’s all female Air Force Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (AFJROTC) color guard posted the colors.
PYLUSD Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, Dr. Linda Adamson, and Administrator of Secondary Curriculum & Instruction, Dr. Jeannie Kim, then welcomed the auditorium and thanked honored guests in attendance such as Board of Education members, Executive Cabinet members, and various district and school site administrators.
El Dorado High School Assistant Principal, Amy Madrigal, then introduced the PYLUSD high and middle school students that served as hosts and moderators for the evening. This included Adelyn Cook from Tuffree Middle School, Brisa Cruz from El Camino Real High School, Sophie Darvish and Joslynn Van Ginkel from El Dorado High School, Emily Fahey and Riley Howard from Esperanza High School, Sanaa Garach and Megan Wang from Bernardo Yorba Middle School, Makhayla Gill from Travis Ranch School, Ameerah Hirji from Yorba Linda High School, Nina Kini from Valencia High School, Asia Mao from Buena Vista Virtual Academy, Anisha Nangia, Evelyn Yao, and Angela Yao from Kraemer Middle School.
Then stuntwoman, lawyer, metaphysical science doctoral student, and keynote speaker Michelle Manu took the stage to share about her collective experiences and offer words of wisdom for those in attendance. She was met with a large round of applause.
The panelists and student moderators then took the stage for brief introductions and to kick off the Q & A portion of the evening. Panelists included Manu, Dinah Felix, Christina Lee, Jennifer Milo, Silvia Pryor, Lori Risse, Valeria Sosa-Sandoval, and Lindsey Young.
The question and answer portion of the evening began with a speed round question asking panelists to answer, “What did you want to be when you grew up?” “Who are your life influencers or heroes? And why?” and “How did you build confidence in your professional and personal life?”
The students then went on to prompt individual panelists with specified questions such as, “How did you choose your degree major and occupational focus?” and “What is one piece of advice you would give young people about money and finances?”
Question after question, the crowd listened attentively in order to absorb the thoughts, experiences, and advice that the panelists so thoughtfully shared. Following all of the questions, the panelists received a loud round of applause and cheers from the crowd.
PYLUSD Director of High School Education, Gina Aguilar, then thanked the panelists, students, and various individuals who made the event possible once again. Dr. Kim then presented two lucky students in the audience with brand new Google Chromebooks donated by event sponsor, USA Softball of Southern California. The crowd exited the auditorium to enjoy a reception with the panelists and baked goods professionally prepared by the Yorba Linda Culinary Arts program.
Following the event, the audience was energetic as they met panelists and reflected on the impact the Women in Industry event had on all.
The fourth annual PYLUSD Women in Industry event was possible thanks to the willingness of the panelists, students, and a large committee of district personnel including Gina Aguilar, Sue Sawyer, Amy Madrigal, Jamie Jauch, Dr. Jeannie Kim, Beth Scott, and many more.
Event sponsors included USA Softball and the R.E.A.C.H. Foundation.
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