For 25 years the YES Program has created a legacy of success by working with teens from underserved St. Louis neighborhoods throughout the teens’ high school years to help prepare them for the in-demand STEM careers of the future.
Congratulations to the YES Program’s latest graduating class! Starting in their freshman year of high school, YES Teens meet regularly online and at the Taylor Community Science Resource Center over the course of the four-year YES Program. In addition to exploring areas like aerospace, agriscience, engineering, integrated medicine and well-being, cybersecurity and more, the YES Teens also help spark the St. Louis community’s curiosity for STEM with outreach programs at the Science Center, through our network of over 60 community partner organizations, and at pop-up science events throughout the area. Through the YES Program, the teens also develop the tools for a successful transition into higher education or careers in today’s STEM-skilled workforce.
Check out the YES Program’s 2023 graduation video and meet this year’s graduating YES Teens to see where they’re headed next!
Alonzo Battle
Alonzo is a graduate from the YES Engineering component and previously participated in the YES Aerospace component. He plans to pursue a degree in Business Administration / Education.
Ja’Mez Brown-Craig
Ja’Mez is a graduate from the YES Aerospace component. He plans to pursue a degree in engineering at Southeast Missouri State.
Taiylor Carr
Taiylor is a graduate from the YES Integrative Medicine & Well-Being component and previously participated in the YES Cybersecurity and Aerospace components. She plans to study Nursing (with a minor in Spanish) at North Carolina A&T.
Chloe Conners
Chloe is a graduate from the YES Aerospace component. She plans to study Forensic Science (with a minor in Business Management) at the University of Memphis and join the Air Force ROTC.
Jeremiah Cook
Jeremiah is a graduate from the YES Entrepreneurship component and previously participated in the YES Aerospace and Agribusiness components. He plans to attend the University of Memphis to study Business Administration.
Walter Dunlap
Walter is a graduate from the YES Media Arts component and previously participated in the YES Engineering and Agribusiness components. He plans to attend Lincoln University of Missouri.
“The reason why the YES Program is important to me is because I got the chance to meet new people with different views, and it helped me open my eyes to a new perspective.”
Jaden Furman
Jaden is a graduate from the YES Cybersecurity component. He plans to study Computer Science for his career as a Hardware Engineer.
Deron Gipson
Deron is a graduate from the YES Media Arts component. He plans to study Photography and Videography at Saint Louis Community College.
“I am extremely grateful for the opportunities the YES Program provided me.”
Omar Hassen
Omar is a graduate from the YES Aerospace component. He plans to pursue Medicine at St. Louis Community College–Forest Park.
Cyril Holloway
Cyril is a graduate from the YES Agriscience component and previously participated in the YES Media Arts component. He plans to study Accounting at McKendree University.
Joziah Ivy
Joziah is a graduate from the YES Cybersecurity component. He plans to pursue Computer Science / Business at Missouri S&T.
Zakiya Jackson
Zakiya is a graduate from the YES Integrative Medicine & Well-Being component and previously participated in the YES Cybersecurity component. She plans to pursue Theatre at either Florida Memorial or Howard University.
Synmar Johnson
Synmar is a graduate from the YES Agriscience component and previously participated in the YES Integrative Medicine & Well-Being component. She plans to study Psychology at Marquette University.
“The YES Program helped me find my passion for the things I care about most in life. The different components allowed me to explore areas of science that I wouldn’t experience in school. [The YES Program] opened many doors and future career opportunities for me. I am so appreciative of my time at the YES Program, and I can’t wait to see how I use what I’ve learned these four years in my future.”
Paulette Lymore Townley
Paulette is a graduate from the YES Entrepreneurship component and previously participated in the YES Integrative Medicine & Well-Being and Agribusiness components. She plans to study Business Administration / Marketing at either Webster University or Fontbonne University.
Kiaira Merrill
Kiaira is a graduate from the YES Entrepreneurship component and previously participated in the YES Media Arts component. She is deciding which college to attend and plans to pursue Business Administration / Fashion Design.
Khamari Smith
Khamari is a graduate from the YES Cybersecurity component. He plans to study Computer Science at North West Missouri State.
“One of my favorite memories of the YES Program was working at the stadium and hosting the esports events. It helped build good connections. I believe the YES Program is important because it allows you to find the thing you love to do. It gives you experience that you would never have a chance to do. Because of the YES Program I learned that I wanted to major in computer science for college and that I want to pursue that as a career.”
Show your support for the YES Program’s next graduating class.
For 25 years the YES Program has created a legacy of success by working with teens from underserved St. Louis neighborhoods throughout the teens’ high school years to help prepare them for the in-demand STEM careers of the future.
Make a gift and help inspire the next generation of YES Teens.
Your Support
Support from donors, Science Center members, and Supporting-level members is instrumental in helping the Science Center continue offering connections to science for everyone in our region. If you’d like to show additional support for our mission, please consider donating to the Science Center’s Annual Fund, becoming a member, or becoming a Supporting-level member.
Your Impact
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