Micah Hill, Laurel High School senior, was recently awarded the Notorious RBG Women of Tomorrow Scholarship by the National Honor Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS).
This scholarship was established to recognize female scholars who have demonstrated strong leadership skills and community involvement – embodying the spirit of Ruth Bader Ginsberg (RBG) within their own communities.
From a young age, Micah took inspiration from the book, Hidden Figures, by Margot Lee Shetterly, which tells the true story of three Black women who paved the way for women in science, completing calculations that helped NASA land the first man on the moon.
Determined to pursue a future in STEM and pave a way for other women, Micah applied for and received a grant to launch a program called “Adventures in 3D Printing.” This initiative introduced two groups of young girls (3rd-6th grade) to computer programming and 3D printing.
Micah states, “I am beyond grateful for the women who were passionate about my program and dedicated their time to help me bring it to full fruition. I am also grateful for the women that came before me like Ruth Bader Ginsberg. It took determination, tears, and influence to redefine ‘women’s roles’ in society which I am forever thankful for.”
The coding camp launched in December of 2020, shortly before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Since the coding camp was online, the girls could still attend and Micah stated “my curriculum became more about just coding, it was a place for young girls to connect during a challenging time, and a place for them to gain confidence.”
Micah has been inspired by iconic role models like Katherine Johnson, but she is also inspired by her older brother, a graduate of the Mississippi School of Mathematics & Science. “I don’t think my brother realizes the influence he has had on me in my life. What began as a little sister trying to compete with her big brother in the STEM field, ended up being one of my biggest passions.”
Micah will graduate this spring from Laurel High School, with an associates degree as well from Jones Community College. She plans to continue her schooling and earn a bachelors degree in Computer Science and currently looking at attending at HBCU or USM. Her goal is to initially work at a big-tech company and then branch out on her own as a Mississippi entrepreneur and continue to help young girls find success in STEM fields. “There is a disproportionate amount of women in STEM,” she said, and she intends to change that.
The NSHSS is the premier honors and scholarship program co-founded by Claes Nobel and James Lewis. It offers a lifetime of benefits, pairing the highest performing students worldwide with high school and college scholarships, events, connections, internships, and career opportunities that begin in high school and carry on through college and careers.
“I am so grateful for my family, friends, and all of the support I have received” Micah said. “Everything I do, I have to earn, and this scholarship opportunity is a daily reminder to me that I can do this, and inspire other girls to do so as well. No matter where you live, or where you’re from, or how much money your family has, leaders can come from anywhere. I want to continue to represent my family and Mississippi in the best way possible.”
