Welcome back everyone! SILA's leadership team has messages for you all!
Our founder was Heidy Sanchez Garcia, who established SILA in the school year of 2025 - 2026 as a sophomore here at Ballantyne Ridge High. Having an amazing vision for a career in STEM, Heidy was an exceptional and well-rounded student, having amazing grades and extracurriculars- she was set to have an exceptional future. Heidy will be chasing her dreams at another prestigious high school out of state and now sits on the national board of SILA, the non-profit as a whole.
FOUNDER'S REASON:
Founded in 2025 at Ballantyne Ridge High School, SILA was created to give students meaningful opportunities to grow as leaders while applying STEM knowledge to real-world challenges. Through hands-on projects, mentorship, outreach, and civic engagement, members develop the technical and interpersonal skills needed for success in college, future careers, and community leadership.
The STEM Impact & Leadership Alliance (SILA) is a student-led organization committed to developing capable, service-oriented STEM leaders. We strive to connect scientific learning with meaningful community action, giving students opportunities to apply their skills, lead real-world projects, and promote positive change within our school and beyond. Through collaboration, innovation, and civic engagement, we aim to build a community of learners who use STEM not just for knowledge, but for impact.
SILA runs on 3 core pillars that define us as who we are. Explore each Pillar and what it means to us!
STEM AMBASSADORS
SILA's STEM Ambassadors Pillar is an academic pillar focused on giving back to the community and sparking innovation using STEM-tailored mindsets, leaving a lasting impact in the local community around us every day. Activities may include:
Local School Workshops
Local Establishment Volunteering
School-Wide Events
Partnering with other clubs or organizations to spread impact.
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Mentorship & Peer Tutoring
SILA's Mentorship & Peer Tutoring Pillar is an academic pillar focused on giving back to the immediate student body around us while nurturing those under us to inspire, encourage, and grow into their best possible self. Under this pillar, mentorship programs include our Wolfpack Academic Mentorship Program, Pen-Pal programs, and any external mentorship or tutoring workshops. Mentorship and Peer tutoring initiatives may include:
Dedicated Tutoring workshops
Wolfpack Academic Mentorship Program
Potential Pen-Pal's Program
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Civic Leadership
SILA's Civic Leadership Pillar is an academic pillar focused on making our members and those not affiliated with SILA proud, functional, and innovative leaders who take calculated risks to lead. Through SILA, members may engage in this pillar by:
Proposing their own initiative to the Officer Board
Participating by running for leadership positions
Officer Roles
Committee Seats
Show outstanding performance within the system to grow their skills as a leader
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