Celebrating Women in STEM: The 2025 Carol Barr STEM Scholarship Recipients
LEXINGTON, Ky., July 10, 2025 – The American Heart Association has awarded the 2025 Carol Barr STEM Scholarship to five high school students from the region.
This year’s awardees received a one-time $10,000 scholarship to use for their post-secondary education.
The 2025 Carol Barr STEM Scholarships were awarded to:
- Kamryn Camp from Scott County High School in Georgetown, KY.
- Olivia Messer from Clay County High School in Manchester, KY.
- Brenna Parker from Great Crossing High School in Georgetown, KY.
- Nora Reichert from Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in Lexington, KY.
- Ayla Urton from Barbourville Independent High School in Barbourville, KY.
Since 2021, the American Heart Association in Central & Eastern Kentucky has awarded more than $300,000 in scholarships to 16 young women pursuing STEM degrees.
The award recipients already have great visions for their future.
Camp will attend the University of Kentucky and study biomedical engineering. Camp says she “aspires to become a pediatric surgeon, dedicated to improving the lives of children facing medical challenges. My career will not be defined by financial gain but by the lives I save, the families I support and the advancements I contribute to.”
Messer will attend the University of Pikeville where she will study biology and biomedical sciences. “By pursuing a career in a STEM major, I am not only preparing for a fulfilling career in medicine, but I would also have the opportunity to give back to my rural community and make a lasting difference” she said.
Parker, who will attend the University of the Cumberlands to major in pre-physical therapy, said, “the math and science courses I’ve taken throughout my life have deepened my interest in the STEM field and helped solidify my plans to further my knowledge in college and into my professional career.”
Reichert from Lexington will study mechanical engineering at the Washington University in St. Louis. Reichert says “A STEM degree will allow me to learn how to combine my creative and problem-solving skills in a way that could directly impact the world. I want to be involved in designing and making things that are useful to people and engineering gives me the freedom to explore my creative ideas in new ways.”
Urton plans to major in biology at the University of the Cumberlands. She says, “by pursuing a STEM career in medicine, I will contribute to a field that transforms lives and will combine scientific knowledge, critical thinking and compassionate care to support improved women’s health.”
Past recipients of the Carol Barr STEM scholarship were also in attendance at the luncheon, held in May, and were able to share their story and update guests on their education in STEM.
The American Heart Association in Central and Eastern Kentucky created the scholarship program in honor of Carol Barr, the late wife of Congressman Andy Barr, with the goal of bridging the gap between Eastern Kentucky students' interest in pursuing a career in a STEM field and achieving their dreams. Carol lost her life in 2020 due to complications from mitral valve prolapse, a heart valve disease that affects the valve between the left heart chambers.
The American Heart Association is invested in the area of women’s STEM for many reasons. As cardiovascular disease continues to be the number one killer of women, ensuring more women are at the forefront of developing science, technology, engineering and math solutions has never been more important.
Unfortunately, a troubling gender gap exists in STEM, from the lack of women pursuing STEM-related degrees to the number of women in STEM careers. Currently women occupy 47% of all US jobs but only 24% of jobs in STEM related fields. By 2030, half of vacant STEM jobs will be in the healthcare sector.
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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
For Media Inquiries:
Meredith Adkins; Meredith.Adkins@heart.org
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org
