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Miss America 2012 Laura Kaeppeler Advocates in Washington, D.C.
Laura Kaeppeler participated in the Let’s Read! Let’s Move! summer enrichment events sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education today in Washington, D.C. this week. The Department’s Let’s Read! Let’s Move! series increases awareness of the critical importance of summer learning and encourages all adults to read to children.
As part of the series, the Department invited Cabinet members, administration officials, and other public figures to join in reading children’s books, promoting healthy lifestyles, and participating in games and fitness activities with children in pre-kindergarten through third grade, from various local schools and summer programs.
Laura was joined by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, Reading Rainbow host LeVar Burton, and former NFL player, LaVar Arrington. During the pre-show activities Laura sang her own rendition of “Over the Rainbow.” Following her performance, Laura and LeVar both served as guest readers.
Afterward, Laura acted as a celebrity mover by leading students in games and other activities, as part of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! initiative to encourage the importance of an active and healthy lifestyle.
Following the Let’s Read! Let’s Move! series, Laura visited the Capitol to tour and meet with State Representatives to discuss educational issues including arts education and STEM programs (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).
Miss America 2012 continues to promote the Miss America Organization's commitment to education.
Source: MAO Photo: From left: U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, Former NFL player LaVar Arrington, Miss America 2012 Laura Kaeppeler, and host of Reading Rainbow LeVar Burton
Laura Kaeppeler Named One of Top Women Leaders in STEM
The Miss America Organization is proud to announce that Miss America 2012 Laura Kaeppeler has been named by STEMconnector.org as one of the Top 100 Women Leaders in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).
According to STEMconnector, Laura was chosen based on her efforts to promote "education for young women and her personal platform: mentoring children of incarcerated parents."
"Much of Laura's time is spent encouraging young women to pursue studies in STEM subjects in an effort to bridge the gender gap among an already pressing issue," according to the STEMconnector publication.
"As I look at the statistics and see that 49 percent of female students say that they chose a STEM profession to help make a difference in our world, I become even more passionate about promoting this type of education. Every day I meet children from all walks of life throughout my travels and they share amazing stories about their hopes and dreams. If we can channel those dreams into applied sciences and formal education and an application of their personal interests, then we can foster them into reality rather than simply smiling with pride," Laura says.
This one-of-a-kind publication honors the careers and initiatives of one hundred women in all STEM industries. With this, STEMconnector aims to advance the cause of more girls and women pursuing a STEM career as the United States' economy relies more than ever on a prepared STEM workforce. The publication was presented for the first time at the U.S. News STEM Solutions Summit.
The women included in this tribute share the commitment of taking over the cause and serving as mentors and sponsors of those who are next in the jobs pipeline. In the STEMconnector publication, readers learn the inspiring stories that showcase the traits needed to advance in the STEM world and how women can make a difference.
The publication will feature several key CEOs, presidents, and key public officials, including four U.S. Senators, an EPA/NASA Administrator, and a Deputy Administrator respectively.
One hundred Women Leaders in STEM will also present opinion editorials featuring interesting data on women in STEM. Some of the pieces written include commentary from the Society of Women Engineers; ABT Associates / TERC; Center for Energy Workforce Development; American Association of University Women; Girls, Inc; National Science Foundation; U.S. News and World Report; The American Institute of Architects; Aerospace Industries Association; and Bayer USA Foundation.
Source and photo: MAO
Miss America Aims to Innovate, Educate at First Annual U.S. News STEM Solutions Summit
Miss America 2012 Laura Kaeppeler participated in the U.S. News STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Solutions Summit last month. The Summit was the first event of its kind and brought together major players to work towards a competitive STEM workforce. Taking place on a national stage, the Summit had a lineup of top speakers ranging from educators, technology experts, policymakers, business executives, government officials, and community leaders. Also for the first time, U.S. News STEM Solutions brought together youth delegations to participate in the Summit so they could actively engage in creating solutions.
As Miss America 2012, Laura encourages women to pursue a college education and focus interests in the arts, as well as STEM education. Along with the Miss America Organization, she supports and targets female students who are currently underrepresented in STEM professions. Laura spoke in the Summit's session on "Leading by Example: The Need for STEM Mentors." She was also a keynote speaker at the Innovate+Educate Youth Summit, where she spoke on the importance of the youth voice in STEM education.
Source: MAO Photo: Deb Knoske