Hilina Taylor-Lenz – 2024 West Sound Region Rising Star

Get to know Hilina

How has your math identity impacted your journey in STEM?
I have dyslexia, so I’ve always found math to be very difficult, including having my 6th grade math teacher saying that I was not fit to go into the advanced math program. I took that as a challenge rather than a setback, and I pushed forward to try to get into advanced math. By freshman year I had gotten into advanced math and started the year in geometry. I figured I had come this far, so might as well keep going. I pushed further and did Algebra II online at home. This year as a sophomore I entered the pre-calculus program at my high school.

Who is the teacher or mentor who sparked your interest in STEM?
One of my biggest inspirations was my math teacher, Miss Lenz. She was one of the only people who believed in me and kept pushing me to become a better person, both in math and science and as a person in general. Because of her, I’ve been able to get into the pre-calculus program as a sophomore. Without her, I would not be where I am today, both in math and science.

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 always known that I wanted to be a scientist one way or another, especially in the biological fields, but it wasn’t until 7th grade that I discovered how amazing and intelligent birds are. Ever since then, I’ve wanted to become an ornithologist. For those who don’t know, that’s a bird researcher.

Taking STEM learning into the community

Hilina brings her expertise in biology to local conservation efforts.

Nominated for her community involvement

“Hilina professes and exhibits a love for both math and science. She especially has a passion for biological sciences. In order to gain knowledge and experience in these fields, she volunteers her time in our community as well as outside of it and works with scientists local to those areas.

She has volunteered over 35 hours at the Discovery Bay Wild Bird Rescue. During these hours, she has learned how to care for birds both medically and behaviorally. She has worked for the Jefferson County Land Trust as part of the Land Trust’s Youth Core, where she built new habitats in the wetlands and forests. Last summer, she spent over 30 hours removing salmon fry from a creek that needed restoration and taking data on the fry that were removed.

Hilina has planned a trip to Honduras this summer to work with scientists to preserve a national park. They will work with carbon sequestration data and data analysis on the biodiversity of the park. She has personal goals of helping the communities in which she works as well as furthering her own knowledge of the sciences involved.”

—Wayne Shaffer and Brandi Hageman, Teachers at Port Townsend 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!