The Whidbey American Association of University Women awarded scholarships to Whidbey girls to aid their education in STEM programs.

The association faced hurdles in processing the applications this year because of the coronavirus, according to Jane Alexander, vice president for Whidbey AAUW. She said the selection process is a big community effort that requires principal and teacher participation

Like many organizations, AAUW used Zoom, an online conferencing application, to interview applicants.

The scholarships will help the students pursue education in STEM fields, an area in which Alexander said women tend to be underrepresented.

The AAUW also sponsors middle school girls for the annual Tech Trek STEM camp, but because of coronavirus the camp is cancelled for this year.

Alexander said however that the association will send this year’s winners to the 2021 camp.

“You have to get started, in junior high, with at least algebra to really have the background to master sciences in this day and age.”

AAUW awarded the following high school juniors with $100 stipends:

Coupeville High School

Thora Iverson, Mollie Bailey and Heidi Meyers

Oak Harbor High School

Sara McCants, Makenzie Mikus and Brenna Richards

South Whidbey High School

Grace Huffman, Lilly Fisher and Katie Zundel