2025 STEMbassador Honored for Scholarship

At the eighth annual Delran STEM Fair, a senior STEMbassador was honored to receive a STEM scholarship she had applied for after being inspired by a young woman’s story of community service and passion for science.

Marketa’s Journey honors the life of Marketa McCabe and was founded by her family after her passing in 2021. Marketa was a humanitarian and gifted in many ways, such as in the sciences, athletics, the arts, and environmentalism. The organization sponsors events and scholarships in her memory.

This year, senior STEMbassador Iris Li was awarded the scholarship. Iris has been involved in DelranSTEM for four years and is actively involved in the school’s Advanced Placement (AP) program, such as in Physics, Calculus, and Statistics. Recently, she spoke with DelranSTEM about her commitment to STEM, her advice for others, and what her plans are for the future.

Tell us about your involvement with DelranSTEM:

“I started as a volunteer at the STEAM Camp during the summer and became a STEMbassador in my sophomore year at DHS. It’s been an amazing experience to grow within the program and contribute to the STEM community here in Delran.”

Related to your scholarship, Marketa was also an active volunteer and gave back to her community. How are you involved in STEM in other community organizations?

“Outside of DelranSTEM, I’ve also been involved in other STEM-related activities like Girls Code the World, where I started as a summer associate and eventually became a curriculum and senior intern. I create STEM lessons and am working to launch our subscription-based learning program. I also participated in the Cornell Engineering Catalyst Academy, where I explored programmable plants and innovative pathways to support agriculture and sustainability. These experiences have allowed me to dive deeper into STEM fields, strengthen my technical and communication skills, and develop more confidence as a leader and mentor.”

What advice would you give to your younger peers in Delran interested in pursuing STEM?

“For younger students at DHS, my advice is: don’t be afraid to explore and try new things, even if they seem intimidating at first. Whether it’s joining a club, attending summer programs, or applying for a scholarship, every experience is an opportunity to learn and grow. It might sound cliché but really it's true, if you want something, go for it. Most importantly, surround yourself with people who support your goals, take advantage of the resources and mentors available to you, and believe in yourself and what you are capable of achieving.”

Iris noted the inspiration of learning about Marketa’s life and service, and her gratitude for the opportunity to apply and receive the scholarship. She would like to pursue a career in healthcare and will be studying molecular engineering at the University of Chicago.

Thank you to Marketa's Journey for their hard work and dedication to providing opportunities to the community! If you are interested in their organization and events, you can sign up for their newsletter online.