By Jasz Garrett
Juneau, Alaska (KINY) – Elizabeth Djajalie is a young leader in STEM, innovation, education, and public communication.
Born and raised in Juneau, she founded the Alaska Science and Engineering Fair Student Spokespersons Board, raising over $15,000 for the statewide STEM nonprofit.
The “Future Women of STEM Podcast” she launched, produced, and hosted aired on public radio and has reached listeners on four continents via Spotify.
Djajalie has conducted graduate-level research on environmental biotechnologies, and she most recently studied using environmental DNA metabarcoding and qPCR to detect, quantify, and conserve various Pacific salmon species.
This project was recognized by the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair, U.S. Agency for International Development, U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Department of Defense, and Taiwan International Science Fair, among others.
She has sung the national anthem for numerous community commemorations, performed with her orchestra at Carnegie Hall, and received several art and writing awards.
She is also a U.S. Senate Youth delegate, Regeneron STS Scholar, AIME qualifier, Distinguished Young Woman of Alaska, public radio guest host, and tennis state champion.
“Elizabeth has gone above and beyond to excel academically and lift up her community through selfless service and leadership,” NASSP CEO Ronn Nozoe said. “Her actions today exemplify the incredible leader she is, and I can’t wait to see what she accomplishes.”
Chosen from nearly 17,000 applicants, the National Honor Society (NHS) is awarding $2 million in scholarships to 600 NHS students.
The program is supported by NHS’s parent organization, the National Association of Secondary School Principals, which also administers the National Association of Student Councils.
The scholarships recognize students who exemplify the four pillars of NHS membership: scholarship, service, leadership and character.
One national winner will receive $25,000 while four others will receive $10,625 for embodying each pillar at a gala on April 5.
In addition, 20 finalists each earn $5,625 scholarships and 575 semifinalists receive $3,200 scholarships.
Listen to Jasz Garrett’s interview with Djajalie below:
