(MAGOFFIN AUDITORIUM — June 13, 2023) – The inaugural class of the Young Women’s STEAM Research and Preparatory Academy graduated Tuesday afternoon with 27 seniors earning diplomas at UTEP’s Magoffin Auditorium. 

The Class of 2023, which earned nearly $2 million in scholarships, is led by valedictorian Lajward Zahra, a QuestBridge Scholar who matched with Rice University where she will attend with a full-ride scholarship. Salutatorian Hannah Conner is headed this fall to the University of Texas at Austin with an Impact Scholarship.  

The class also boasts a Terry Scholar, UTEP Presidential scholarships, a Regents Scholarship and a National Science Foundation Scholarship.  

The class was honored by the El Paso City Council, which proclaimed May 23 as YWA Day. The nation’s first single gender new tech academy, YWA opened its doors in 2017 with sixth and seventh grade.