A Tamaqua student earned a trip to the University of Texas over the summer.

Andrea Betz, a Tamaqua Area Middle School student, traveled to Dallas for Envision’s National Youth Leadership Forum: Explore STEM experience. The event was held July 6-11.

According to a news release, the program “enables students to explore their interests and experience learning beyond the classroom.” Envision is designed to promote leadership and career skills and has served more than 800,000 students since 1985.

“As an alumna of Envision myself, I was excited for Andrea to meet, work and collaborate with other high-aspiring students from across the county,” said Envision’s senior vice president, Amanda Freitag. “Hands down, my favorite part of attending an Envision program was being with motivated students in an environment designed to help us challenge our assumptions, meet new people and grow. At NYLF Explore STEM, students build the confidence and skills needed to excel in high school, college and the workplace. They learn how to adapt to and communicate in new situations, to new challenges and with new people, which given how rapidly the world is changing due to technology and innovation, are essential skills for success.”

Betz is in seventh grade and was nominated for the opportunity by her guidance counselor.

“I’m so glad I had the opportunity to go to STEM camp,” said Betz. “I met a lot of new people from all over the United States. I learned leadership skills in addition to studying forensics and other STEM topics. One of the highlights was meeting a real NASA astronaut, who has made three trips into outer space. I hope I have the chance to do a camp like this again.”