Graduation Letter: Congratulations Zeñia!

Graduation season is an exciting time of year at BEAM, as the students we’ve known since middle school graduate and continue their incredible STEM journeys. This year, we introduce to you Zeñia Alarcon, who graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute this spring with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a master’s degree in management. This month, she is beginning her career as an assistant superintendent with a construction management company. Congratulations, Zeñia!

Zeñia has been a passionate, energetic member of BEAM’s community since we met her in 2014. Lynn Cartwright-Punnett, Chief Programs Officer, said, “I know that if I’m hanging out with Zeñia, someone’s laughing.”

See photos throughout her STEM journey with BEAM in the slideshow below! Hover over the photos for additional details.

Zeñia attended BEAM Summer Away in 2014. She is pictured second from the left, wearing sunglasses on her head and working on a paper geometry project.

At Summer Away, Zeñia took classes in combinatorics, problem solving, proofs, and Hamming codes. In the photo, she receives support from a faculty member.

Zeñia participated in many summer enrichment opportunities, including Cooper Union Summer STEM in 2018. Click the photo to learn more!

Zeñia attended college preparation workshops with BEAM to create her application list and work on her personal essay in 2018.

Zeñia visited Caltech with fellow pathway students Maria and Teo in 2018.

Teo, Zeñia, and Maria also visited Harvey Mudd College with BEAM’s CEO and Founder, Dan Zaharopol.

Zeñia was a junior counselor at BEAM Discovery in 2019. She stands in the back row on the far right.

As a counselor at BEAM Discovery, Zeñia also TA’ed and provided support during Open Math Time (OMT), when students work on math of their own choosing.

BEAM Discovery students took a field trip to the movie theatre! Zeñia sits on the far left.

Zeñia plays cards with a student during lunchtime at BEAM Discovery.

Each summer, counselors and students participate in a camp-wide talent show! In 2019, Zeñia and a few other counselors performed a choreographed dance routine.

Congratulations to Zeñia as she graduates with her bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a master’s degree in management (after just four years!).