Wausau Teenager Named Finalist in STEM Video Contest at Spirit of St. Louis Airshow

Lily Schaefer, a 14-year-old 8th grader at Odyssey Virtual Academy, has been announced as a finalist in the STEM video contest organized by the Spirit of St. Louis Airshow and STEM Expo, sponsored by Boeing. Schaefer's entry, a compelling commercial promoting aerospace welding as a STEM career field, has garnered attention for its innovative approach and evident passion for the industry.

In a time where the United States faces a shortage of skilled professionals in aviation and other STEM-related fields, initiatives like the STEM video contest are crucial for inspiring the next generation of talent. According to the National Association of Manufacturing, millions of STEM jobs are projected to go unfilled by 2025 due to the lack of highly skilled candidates.

Schaefer's journey into the world of STEM began nearly two years ago when she took up welding at Wausau's Learn Build Fly. Her video showcases her welding skills alongside footage of the non-profit’s aircraft builds, backed by her own voiceover expressing her enthusiasm for the industry. Schaefer credits her involvement with EAA Chapter 640 and Learn Build Fly for providing support and opportunities to develop her public speaking skills, which are evident in her video.

As a Cadet 2^nd Lieutenant in the Stevens Point Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol, Schaefer is actively engaged in leadership roles and various aerospace activities, further fueling her passion for

STEM. She is set to travel to the St. Louis Airshow along with her mother and two younger sisters, where the semi-finalists will receive a flight on a historic DC3. The contest finalists and grand prize winners will be announced during a private banquet before the airshow, where they will have the honor of meeting the Blue Angels pilots and their team. The finalists will receive tickets to the airshow, meet and greets, and a second private banquet with the Blue Angels team.

"I'm so excited to have gotten this incredible opportunity," Schaefer exclaimed. "Meeting the Blue Angels whole team is just amazing!" At the airshow, Schaefer is eagerly anticipating the opportunity to talk with the Blue Angels maintenance team, particularly their welding specialists.

The Spirit of St. Louis Airshow is scheduled to take place on June 8-9 in Chesterfield, MO. For more information visit [www.stlairshow.com](http://www.stlairshow.com).