Merge will give young girls tools they need

From Dallas ISD Staff Reports

Young Women’s STEAM Academy, Dallas ISD’s first all-girls legacy school, began the 2024-2025 school year with an inaugural freshman class as part of its expansion — and the Young Women’s Preparatory Network’s newest members.

In support of YWSA’s integration to the network, Texas Instruments Foundation donated a $2 million grant in an effort to shrink the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math confidence gap.

The funds will support the refurbishment of YWSA’s science lab, the installation of a wall wrap featuring female trailblazers, state college visits, a college success advisor, and the recruitment of new teachers.

Rubinna Sanchez, principal of Young Women’s STEAM Academy and a first-generation college graduate, says she is excited about the partnership and grant from Texas Instruments because having resources starting in the sixth grade can help smooth the transition to college.

“We were allocated one college success advisor to work with our students to find scholarships and best-fit colleges for them,” she said. “It’s going to improve the mindset of these girls, knowing that we, as a campus, and the community, are here to guide them, to help them reach their dreams, and go on to do something they may not have thought was attainable.” 

Local leaders such as the mayor of Balch Springs, Carrie Gordon and Rep.Toni Rose visited YWSA for the partnership announcement, showing the girls they can pursue high-profile careers and that it’s possible to achieve anything they set their minds to.

For Lynn McBee, CEO of Young Women’s Preparatory Network, the decision to include YWSA was an easy one because she hopes to “give young girls the tools they need to shatter glass ceilings.”

“Young Women’s STEAM Academy has remarkable young women who want to focus on science, technology, engineering and math,” McBee said. “We are thrilled to welcome them, grow with them, and support the goals of their hard-working students.”

Last year, Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School joined the network and Catarina D., the senior class president, shared how she’s been empowered in her academic journey. Through the partnership with YWPN, she had the opportunity to study abroad in Morocco and was given half tuition and scholarship opportunities. 

“The most important thing I’ve had are opportunities. I never would have thought that would be possible, but because of YWPN I was able to get those things,” she said. “Something that really stuck out to me was knowledge is power, and because knowledge is power, I have learned so much from everybody. I’ve learned to grow as a leader, as a student, as a daughter. So, please, take all the opportunities while you can because there’s none like it.”