Renee Schebler
STEM School Chattanooga senior Renee Schebler will be Massachusetts-bound this fall. She is the only student from Southeast Tennessee to be accepted to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
The prestigious university only accepts 1,200 students a year.
STEM School Principal Dr. Tony Donen is thrilled to share the news. “Renee’s acceptance not only means she is one of the best students in the country, but that she is one of the best in the world because tech students from all over the world apply to MIT. We could not be prouder.”
Hamilton County Department of Education Interim Superintendent Dr. Kirk Kelly notes Ms. Schebler’s acceptance to MIT is also a sign of the importance of STEM School Chattanooga. “The class of 2017 is only the second graduating class from STEM School. She competed against students, even here in Hamilton County, that have attended college preparatory schools with centuries-old heritages.”
Ms. Schebler plans to enroll in the Electrical Engineering program at MIT. She already has shown a passion for electrical engineering and computer sciences through her coursework at STEM School Chattanooga.
For her senior business project, Ms. Schebler created Arden the Programmable Bear. The school is now working to connect her with national company Build-A-Bear Workshop to get Arden in the hands of children everywhere. “Getting kids, especially girls, involved in STEM fields is a true passion of mine,” Ms. Schebler said. “This is one reason I am so proud to talk about my acceptance to MIT. I want to show the next generation of great tech minds out there that STEM is not just a boys’ club.”
In addition to acceptance to MIT, the class valedictorian was offered a full scholarship to Oklahoma State. She was also selected by the Tennessee Department of Education as a nominee for the National US Presidential Scholars program. “Renee is proof you can get a great education in Hamilton County,” Dr. Donen added. “She will continue to be an inspiration to students for years to come here at STEM School.”
Ms. Schebler has set up a GoFundMe page to help cover her college tuition and expenses. The goal of Get Renee to MIT! Is $5,000. At the time of this release, she was nearly 1/10 of the way there.