BBCC staff member speaks at Boeing STEM Signing Day

MOSES LAKE — Big Bend Community College Workforce Education Development Coordinator Tom Willingham was the keynote speaker at Boeing on Wednesday for their STEM Signing Day event.

“Technology doesn’t exist without science engineering and math,” said Willingham in his speech. “Students, thank you for choosing STEM, we need you.”

Seven Eastern Washington students and their families were honored at STEM Signing Day at the Moses Lake location of Boeing. The students were Dalia Al Hayyawi, Aurora Beplate, Caleb Craddock, Maritza Gomez, Carter Noftle, Adelina Ramirez and Alexis Sanchez-Escobar.

STEM Signing Day celebrates high school seniors who choose to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics education at technical programs, two- and four-year colleges and universities. Just like signing days for athletes, STEM Signing Day honorees sign a letter of intent to pursue their STEM goals.

During his speech, Willingham spoke about the importance of STEM careers and his personal path of working at Microsoft before his arrival at Big Bend. He said he hopes that at the conclusion of their studies, that the students will consider putting their new skills and knowledge to work at Grant County industries.

Certificates were presented to each student by four state legislators: Rep. Tom Dent (R-Moses Lake), Rep. Alex Ybarra (R-Quincy), Sen. Nikki Torres (R-Pasco) and Sen. Javier Valdez (D-Seattle).

Dent took a few moments to express to the students to follow their passions. When they do, he said, they will never work a day in their life.

“Live your dreams, do what you love,” said Dent.