Alena Analeigh Wicker had an incredibly impressive list of accomplishments. She studied biological sciences at two separate universities. She is a former NASA intern and went to a medical school. At the young age of 13, she was well on her way to achieving her dreams and ambitions. She also supplied support to other young girls like her, who were interested in science and technology, and hoped that her story would serve as a source of inspiration.
Alena's mother, McQuarter, claimed that her daughter had always been exceptional and superior. She offered to be educated at home. So McQuarter homeschooled Alena during elementary school. Even after Alena returned to school in the fifth grade, she continued studying high school subjects based on a course carefully designed by her mother.
"I was bored," Alena explains. "The high school work was so easy for me that I ended up graduating from high school when I was 12. I love school; I love learning; I love reading. I have a desire to learn, and that has just always been me."
After graduation, Alena went to two separate universities, earning degrees in biological sciences from both Arizona State University and Oakwood University. And while studying for the accelerated degrees, Alena started the Brown STEM Girl Foundation, in honor of Katherine Johnson, who had been a pioneering African-American mathematician at NASA. The Foundation's target is to engage and educate girls in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
Alena has promoted her foundation online, "It feels amazing to be able to create a path for girls that look like me." Alena shares her tips. She says, "It doesn't matter how old you are. You can do it. Don't let anybody tell you no. I would say to any little girl out there that's reading this: Never give up on yourself and never let anyone tell you that you can't do something."
