On Tuesday, the Fox Valley Chamber of Commerce hosted the 12th annual Smart Girls Rock! career day, drawing more than 100 high‑school girls from across the region. Thirteen local businesses set up interactive stations, each staffed by women professionals showcasing fields traditionally dominated by men, such as plasma cutting, heavy‑equipment excavation, industrial engineering and aviation.
Students hear from local role models
Senior Reanne Sprangers of Kaukauna High School said the event opened her eyes to engineering possibilities she had never considered. “When you think of an engineer, I think a lot of girls don’t think of it, they could do that… seeing people who are actually doing those things is really cool,” she explained.
Her classmate, Chloe Miller, added that hearing mentors describe their career journeys helped her understand that a passion for STEAM can develop later in college. “I wish I’d known about this earlier,” Miller said, “but now I’m happy with where I am and enjoy my job.”
Mentors stress the value of early exposure
Christy Ford, a mentor from host company Northeast Asphalt, recalled wishing similar programs existed when she was a student. “You write out that exam of like, ‘Oh, here.’ And they’re like, ‘This is what you’d like to do.’ It would have been great to see it in person and really get your hands on it, because how are you supposed to know what that career is otherwise?’” Ford said.
Aimee Herrick, the event organizer with the Fox Valley Chamber, emphasized the broader goal of keeping young women in the area. “These girls are actually getting involved in the businesses that are here. They may not have heard of the name before, but now they’re here interacting with them for a full day,” Herrick noted. “There are a lot of girls that will end up here and might start a new apprenticeship. One mentor today started as a student in Smart Girls Rock and is now a mentor – a full‑circle moment.”
Underclassmen share their excitement
Underclassmen from Appleton East also voiced enthusiasm. Amelia Perez said, “It’s very inspirational to think these girls are in jobs that maybe men have been more dominant in, so maybe that’s what we can do when we grow up.” Kiera Czerwinski added, “You can even ask them how they got there, and that experience is inspirational.”
Community impact and future outlook
The event, now in its 12th year, rotates host businesses each year, allowing students to rotate among stations and experience a wide range of career paths. Organizers hope the hands‑on exposure will translate into more women pursuing apprenticeships, certifications and college degrees in STEAM fields, strengthening the local workforce and preserving the region’s manufacturing and engineering heritage.
Local leaders view the program as an investment in the next generation of skilled workers and a way to retain talent within the Fox Valley. By connecting students directly with employers, Smart Girls Rock! aims to build a pipeline of qualified women ready to fill high‑skill jobs that are essential to the area’s economic vitality.
Original reporting: FOX 11 WLUK Green Bay (local) — read the source article.
