Angelina Rodriguez-Caldwell – 2024 Southwest Region Rising Star

Get to know Angelina

How has your math identity impacted your journey in STEM?
Early on, I struggled a lot with math and was put in special help classes. Then in high school I met a teacher, Miss Lindquist, and everything really clicked for me. I liked the way that she drew things out, because I was a kid that needed things to be drawn out for me. Now I’m excelling, and I actually quite enjoy math – it’s one of my favorite subjects.

Who is the teacher or mentor who sparked your interest in STEM?
My mentor is my mom. When we didn’t have cable, she used to go to the library and borrow a bunch of books on science-y topics, like how things work in factories. Our sole show was Modern Marvels, and I used to love watching the engineers — how they invented everything and how their brains worked. Thank you to my mom for sticking with me through all the weird shows that we watched.

What are you thinking about doing after high school and what are some of the ways you are beginning to explore potential careers?
I’ve already set myself up to follow some STEM-related college courses – UW classes, might I brag. I’ve also been checking out colleges with programs in oceanography or bioengineering. I know those subjects sound completely different, but I’ve always loved what the ocean has to offer, and I also think engineering cells is so cool. I feel like people don’t understand — they’re like: ‘It’s a boring job.’ But it’s not boring! You get to like mess with cells all day, every day!

“I’ve always liked tinkering with things”

Angelina talks about how her love of “tinkering” led her to explore engineering and healthcare careers.

Nominated for her grit

“Angelina has been a huge participant in our Medical Club (ClubMed). She has participated in and helped lead several of our events (setting IVs, Stop the Bleed); studied and competed in preliminary events for Washington State Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA); and attended the Washington HOSA conference. She studied behavioral health as well as medical law and ethics, which are both very heady disciplines. She was elected to be our ClubMed President next year, so she will have many more STEM medical opportunities over her next three years of high school.

Angelina may be a little on the quiet side, but she is always there. She doesn’t miss anything. Angelina shows grit and determination going up against juniors and seniors who would have had years of experience in her HOSA events. She takes the challenge of studying those topics anyway.”

—Kevin Gustafson, Science Teacher and ClubMed Advisor at Kelso High School
 

The Washington STEM Rising Star Awards encourage young women and trans and nonbinary youth to embrace STEM learning in ways that will support their education, career, and community.

Meet all of the 2024 Washington STEM Rising Stars!