EDUCATION

From Legos From Legos to NASA

Allena Wicker, 12, of Texas isn’t your typical preteen. She’s a college student with plans to work for NASA as an engineer upon graduation. If you did your math correctly, she will be 16. Alena’s mother, Daphne McQuarter, said she knew something was special about her daughter when Alena was four years old. “I think I always knew,” shared Daphne. “Alena always did things differently. Even as a baby. She started walking early, talking early. She started reading when she was turning two.” And Alena loved Legos. Her love of building things is why she wants to be an engineer. “She didn’t play with Legos like typical children would, she built things and would sort them by color and size,” continued Alena’s mother, “And if you moved one out of its spot, she knew.” By the time Alena was seven years old, she declared to her mother that she was going to work for NASA, originally as an astronomer, later changing her career aspiration to an engineer.

It was evident then that this little girl had BIG dreams!

Photo by D Lacy Photography

When she was younger, she would look up and point at the stars and say to me, “Mommy! I’m going to work up there! Watch Mommy!”

“When she was younger, she would look up and point at the stars and say to me, “Mommy! I’m going to work up there! Watch Mommy!” Daphne recalled. “I’m going to be the first little Black girl to ever work for NASA. Watch.”

Even though Alena’s dreams lie within studying the stars, she said she has no plans of going to outer space. Her goal is to build a Rover and would love to work with the Mars space mission. “Engineering is my passion,” Alena said.

Alena graduated high school in May 2021 and enrolled at Arizona State University where she will double major in Astronomical Planetary Science and Chemistry.

When asked how she relates to other students, Alena said she does have friends her own age, but “I think I’m more with the adults,” she laughed. Alena also participates in choir, track and field, and previously cheerleading. Her mother said she makes it a priority to keep Alena involved in extra-curricular activities with kids her own age.

Aside from being a 12-year-old prodigy, Alena launched her website called Brown STEM Girl, as an outlet for girls of color who are interested in STEM. She has also launched a podcast to encourage girls who are interested in STEM by bringing on women who are in the field to ask and answer questions.

When asked who she would like to feature on her podcast, Alena didn’t hesitate: “Mae Jemison or Oprah.”

Alena still enjoys building Legos. Her favorite Lego set is the Millenium Falcon, which took her 15 hours to complete over the course of two days! Z

Mary Farucci is a seasoned, contributing writer at Hope Magazine, focusing on news and feature pieces. She lives in Indianapolis. Follow Mary on Instagram @mc_farucci.”