This upcoming summer, Rolland-Warner sixth-grade student Jamie Aeder will join outstanding students from across the nation to take part in a unique academic and career-oriented development experience, NYLF Pathways to STEM, held at Loyola University in Chicago.
NYFL Pathways to STEM is one of the Envision by WorldStrides family of programs that enable students to explore their interests and experience learning beyond the classroom.
“I am excited for Jamie to meet, work, and collaborate with fellow high-aspiring students from other cities and schools,” said Education for Envision VP Dr. Jan Sikorsky. "NYLF Pathways to STEM is a wonderful opportunity for ambitious young students to explore their interests outside the classroom and discover how to innovate and think creatively through hands-on immersive learning. Our students are challenged with real-world simulations and problems, working together to develop unique solutions and projects to bring life to their studies and career interests.”
"I’m very proud that I was selected because it’s an opportunity for all the advanced students in the nation, and I was one of the ones who got chosen," Aeder added. "For that, I’m really proud and grateful for my teacher, Mrs. (Rachael) Fisher (from Schickler Elementary), because she nominated me."
Fisher nominated Aeder due to his exceptional imagination, his drive to learn, and his natural leadership abilities. He is consistently a top performer academically and is also a talented artist. Aeder has had his own artwork used in the program for a concert with the St. Cecilia Musical Society of Flint.
"He is a natural engineer in training," Fisher said. "His love for reading provides the inspiration, and his boundless creativity provides the method. He is exactly the kind of bright, inquisitive mind that the STEM camp is designed to cultivate. He has definitely left an everlasting impact on me. I know I will hear Jamie Aeder's name in the future accomplishing great things."
With dreams of being an astrophysicist or studying law, Jamie is excited to get some hands-on experience at this camp.
"I’m excited to see all of the other students and looking forward to being able to relate to other kids who are also high achievers," Aeder said. "Before second grade, academics were not my focus because I just wasn’t interested in what I was learning, but once I reached second grade, I got interested in math and reading and that is when my academic spark happened."
Starting a new school for the 2025-26 school year, Aeder said the transition has been extremely smooth.
"I think I’ve adjusted very well," he said. "I love the teachers and the staff and my favorite part is Outdoor Ed with Mr. (Chris) Prill."
Away from school, Aeder definitely keeps himself busy.
"My main hobby is karate," said Aeder. "I am a green and black belt, and I hope to earn a solid black belt in the next 2-3 years. One of my biggest interests is art and I also love to read. Sci-fi and fantasy books are my favorite."
Aeder's family includes his parents and his older sister Sunny, a Zemmer seventh-grade student.