When 9-year-old Eliza Leal is with her parents and younger brother Emiliano, the family sometimes breaks into song. But they’re not typical children’s sing-a-longs. Eliza has been schooled in the likes of Tina Turner, R.E.M., and David Bowie – courtesy of her mother’s influence. And she spends her morning walks to school with her father reciting poetry.
Eliza doesn’t mind one bit. In fact, she relishes everything her parents have shared with her and loves to explore new things.
It’s that exploratory attitude that has spurred an interest so devout that Eliza has been accepted to the Women in Engineering and Technology Initiative-FEMME Program at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) this summer.
“I’m hoping for a miracle. But if not, we have to make it happen.” – Tatiana Meza
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It is the first time Eliza has ever been accepted to such a program, and she is excited about the opportunity.
“My favorite part of science is the hands-on,” said Eliza, who remembers falling in love with science in kindergarten when she learned about butterflies.
She has fostered her love of science by following news stories, science-based kids’ programming, and books.
Now as she embarks on her first adventure into higher education, her mother is trying to raise the money to make sure Eliza can attend.
Creative financing
Eliza’s mother, Tatiana Meza, first found out about the program when she read an announcement in The Reporter about a Union City student who had been accepted to it a few years ago.
Knowing it would be of interest to her curious daughter one day, she held onto it until the right time.
After an extensive application process which included teacher recommendations, transcript submissions, testing, and an interview, word finally came of Eliza’s acceptance in late April.
“It’s like applying for college,” said Meza.
But the acceptance was bittersweet. Along with the letter was a bill detailing the charges of the program – a total of $2,500 for the summer, with a $1,490 scholarship being provided by NJIT.
Eliza’s own school (Roosevelt School) budget was slim and unable to provide a supplemental scholarship.
Meza noticed that students in nearby Union City were receiving financial assistance for the program and being provided transportation to the program.
It’s a function Union City is able to provide, she said, because they are an Abbott district – a school designated to receive more aid because of the impoverished status of many of the students. Since Weehawken does not have that status, they get less aid.
“According to demographics, we’re rich here,” said Meza. “But many of us aren’t.”
So Meza decided it was time to resort to some creative methods. Tooth fairy money from Eliza’s busy year of loose teeth has been gathered to add to the sum.
Meza wrote letters to companies and organizations to tell Eliza’s story and see if any of them would like to sponsor her participation.
“I’m hoping for a miracle,” said Meza. “But if not, we have to make it happen.”
The family made the first payment last week, but are still working towards putting the money together for the final one on June 18.
Paying it forward
Meza said she is hoping to create a positive experience not just for her own daughter but also others in the future. Thus, Eliza will document her experience at NJIT in a letter to the superintendent of schools in hope that it will open up opportunities for others down the road.
“Maybe this could be something that could benefit future girls,” said Meza.
Meanwhile, Eliza has been spending most of her free time learning Spanish and Italian, practicing violin, and playing softball.
She also spends a lot of time at the Weehawken Public Library, where she loves to delve into new books.
One day, Eliza hopes to become a scientist so she can save people and create solutions to problems like the water crisis in Africa. But for now, her focus is on the summer.
She will begin her classes at NJIT in July and is excited to meet different types of people in the program.
“I’m looking forward to learning and making new friends,” she said.
And also, she admitted, she hopes there will be at least a few trips to the beach this summer too.
Lana Rose Diaz can be reached at ldiaz@hudsonreporter.com.