Supporting Girls in Math and Science With Spaghetti

Patrons chowed down on spaghetti, salad, garlic bread and cookies at Endeavor Hall Wednesday night. More than a chance to enjoy a fulfilling meal, it was an opportunity for Claytonians to come together to support some of the brightest girls in the city.

The Clayton branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) sponsored the 7th annual Clayton Spaghetti Feed, raising money to encourage girls to pursue careers in the math and sciences.

The president of the AAUW Clayton branch, Judy Bates, said this is the organization's largest fundraiser of the year and hoped about $2,000 would be raised. The Clayton Community Business Association donated $500 to the cause.

"It's an opportunity to be not just with our members, but the public and it's nice see all the great support we are getting from the community," Bates said.

The primary mission of the fundraiser is to help send three 7th grade girls to Tech Trek, a week-long summer science and math camp at Sonoma State.

The goal of Tech Trek is to instill self-confidence and excitement in girls in the math and sciences, subjects that have been historically dominated by males.

Rosemary Harwood leads the Tech Trek program for the AAUW's Clayton branch and, as someone who majored in chemistry, she thinks it's critically important for girls to go into the math and sciences.

"We've discovered if we encourage girls to be involved in the math and sciences in middle school, then they are more likely to continue in those disciplines in high school," Harwood said. "We keep track of the girls and it's great to see some of them continue to stay interested in the math and sciences in high school and beyond."

Giovy Webb is one of the three Diablo View students picked by the AAUW to attend this year's Tech Trek. After being nominated, Webb had to write and essay about where she thinks she will be in 10 years and then was interviewed by three AAUW members before being selected to attend the camp.

"It's very exciting," Webb said. "It's great to be part of it and will give me a chance to see what college is like."

The fundraiser also raised money for a $1,000 scholarship that will be awarded to a Clayton Valley High student later in the year.