The Dream Makers: An All-Girl Team Heads to Nationals!

Get ready to be inspired by an incredible all-girl team from the Kansas State School for the Blind (KSSB). Known as The Dream Makers, this group of young women; Sydney Parcell, Viviana Petelin, and Heaven Gabrielson, recently competed at a "Women in STEM" event and are now headed to the Make48 National competition! Their journey is a powerful example of creativity, teamwork, and determination.

We recently had a chance to speak with these innovators and their team captain, Lydia Moreno, to hear about their amazing experience.

The Dream Makers! Sydney, Lydia, Viviana and Heaven

A Glimpse into The Dream Makers' Journey

For The Dream Makers, the key to success at the Make48 competition was simple: connection. 

Sydney and Heaven loved "meeting all of the teams and making friends," and Viviana echoed this, adding how much she appreciated the supportive atmosphere of "all women in STEM" environment. Lydia seconded this, emphasizing how much she enjoyed meeting new people and collaborating with her teammates.

Their winning idea stood out among the other prototypes, according to the judges. They created a highly portable prototype that could be used in many different ways. 

As Sydney put it, the idea was special "because it could be used in a lot of ways," a point Viviana elaborated on, highlighting its portability and multiple potential uses. Heaven emphasized their thoughtful approach, noting, "We thought about the problem behind it." Heaven and Lydia both stressed that their team's success came from thinking deeply about the problem they were trying to solve.

The competition's whirlwind 48 hours were full of memorable moments. For Sydney, the most exciting part was the “moment we found out what we were going to make.” Viviana cherished "the reaction to us winning the competition" and the satisfaction of a job well done. Heaven's most vivid memory was the late-night hustle of "spray painting our prototype all night!" Lydia's favorite memory was simply winning and getting to see their teamwork pay off.

Women in STEM Judges with The Dream Makers; Alison Wood (KCAI), Katie Prue (Garmin), Jordynn Webster (Home Builders Association) and Kristie Larson (DeBruce Foundation)

Overcoming Challenges and Looking to the Future

These young women are no strangers to overcoming challenges and achieving their goals. 

Sydney shared her pride in "participating in the 5k walk at KSSB because I proved I can do it." Viviana shared her remarkable achievement of "marching in the full marching band show" in high school, a testament to her perseverance despite others' doubts. Heaven and Lydia were both proud of the team for getting their prototype put together and seeing their idea come to life.

When asked about the people they admire, the team's responses highlighted the strong community around them. Sydney and Viviana both look up to Lydia for her creativity and constant encouragement. Heaven admires her coach, recognizing her as a "great teacher" in both school and competition and Vicki Davis as a mentor who has taught them important life skills.

The Dream Makers also have some insightful ideas about the future of education. Sydney believes there should be dedicated instruction for students who want to learn Braille, using practical tools like a Braille writer. Viviana passionately advocated for a "makerspace class" in every school, where students can turn their ideas into real projects (click here to learn about KSSB’s makerspace class with Lydia Morena and Mara Hugg). Her teaching approach would be to give students the "freedom to explore their passions" with guidance and safety instruction, fostering confidence and creativity. Heaven also believes in the importance of practical skills, suggesting "building" as a subject taught "one lesson at a time."

Finally, when asked about their favorite things about themselves, their unique strengths shone through. Sydney values her "kindness." Viviana embraces her "love for music," her ability to play by ear, and her caring nature towards others. Heaven cherishes her "ability to make stories" among her many other talents.

What's Next?

Lydia will be on maternity leave (although she says you never know!), but confirmed that the team will be joined by co-team captains Pam Arbeiter and Vicki Davis. The team's strategy remains the same: identify potential problems and solve them proactively, all while continuing to generate new ideas. 

They are excited about the challenge, which is being sponsored by Corteva, and are ready to tackle whatever comes their way. The competition will be held at the Fishers Maker Playground in Indianapolis, and the team is ready to compete on a national level for the first time.

The Dream Makers are a shining example of the power of inclusivity, innovation, and teamwork. We wish Sydney, Viviana, and Heaven the best of luck as they continue to make their dreams a reality!