For Zoe Kilkenny, Tech Trek is the heart and soul of the American Association of University Women-Oakdale-Riverbank-Escalon Branch (AAUW-ORE)
“Tech Trek,” said Kilkenny who, along with Clydora Hippler and Teri Curtis serve as the Branch’s Tech Trek directors, “is a program sponsored by AAUW to help girls build confidence in their potential. It was designed to target seventh grade girls, the age at which they often start turning away from science and math classes.”
On Thursday, Nov. 13 at 6 p.m., the branch will celebrate this unique program. Tech Trek alum have been invited to share their stories.
Kilkenny is proud that as of 2025, AAUW-ORE has sent 221 girls to camp over the 27 years of its existence.
“Our small branch’s goal is to send ten girls from Oakdale, Riverbank, and Escalon to camp each year and we have mostly succeeded. Many larger branches send only one or two girls annually,” Kilkenny noted. “Tech Trek encourages girls in the STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). It’s a great opportunity for the girls to experience a college setting and participate in hands-on classes. Our campers attend the one-week summer camp held at California State University Fresno. We fundraise in order to send them there; and then as high school seniors, we encourage them to apply for one of our college scholarships.”
The Soroptimist International of Oakdale and the Riverbank Federated Women’s Club are two organizations that over the years have provided funds for Tech Trek. Kilkenny said the AAUW is encouraging other local organizations or individuals to attend the Nov. 13 celebration to meet the Tech Trek participants and AAUW members and learn why they might want to help with a financial contribution to help continue the program.
“When the girls return from camp, they always send us thank you cards and rave about the experience,” Kilkenny added. “Many share how it influenced their career choices and helped mold their lives.”
AAUW-ORE members often connect with Tech Trek alum at an annual reunion party to welcome the new Tech Trekkers. Also, Kilkenny tries to stay in touch with the girls via e-mail. Three that she remains in contact with are Quinn Gagos, McKenzie Mote and Esmeralda Salcedo.
Gagos attended Tech Trek in 2010. Last January she spoke to the branch about the non-profit organization, Earthians Care, which she founded in 2008 – two years before she went to Tech Trek. Earthians Care is an on-line newsletter focused on environmental issues. Its contributors have to be younger than 26 years old, at which time they graduate to become mentors.
In 2011, Kilkenny was on the Tech Trek interview committee, which selected Esmeralda Salcedo. Kilkenny recalled Salcedo attending the reunion parties, and telling her that she liked serving as a role model for those, who like herself, didn’t immediately choose the college path. Now, however, she recently completed her teaching degree and this fall started teaching Physical Education in Kelseyville.
The third young woman, who was molded by her Tech Trek experience is McKenzie Mote, Class of 2018. She was a junior counselor in 2021 when the camp went virtual on Zoom, because of the COVID shutdown; and in 2024 she served as a camp counselor in person. Kilkenny remembers her as being very young and shy when she interviewed, and stated “My how she has blossomed!”
Mote is currently going to school for Social/Behavioral Sciences.
“I want to work with other children who have experienced trauma such as me. My passion is children and I love watching littles develop,” Mote explained. “I am also in the process of getting my EMT License; I graduated EMT school at MJC in December 2023. I love emergency medicine as well. Just anything that makes an impact on people’s lives. I have learned so much from Tech Trek.”
She also agreed with Kilkenny’s observations regarding her transformation.
“I have grown from a very soft-spoken, shy girl to a very outspoken, confident woman; and I give most of the credit to Tech Trek for showing me I can achieve so much at such a young age,” Mote said.
In addition, the branch tries to stay connected to the girls and mentor them by offering field trips and local college campus tours. In 2023, with the help of a lot of community donations, the branch sponsored a field trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
This meeting and celebration are open to members, those interested in Tech Trek, guests and prospective members. It will be held in a member’s home on Thursday evening, Nov. 13 starting at 6 p.m.
Individuals interested in attending or who want more information about the meeting or AAUW’s mission are asked to RSVP by emailing membership director, Gail Marganelli at gmarganelli@att.net.
The American Association of University Women (AAUW) advances gender equity for women and girls through research, education, and advocacy. The nonpartisan, nonprofit organization has more than 170,000 members and supporters across the United States, as well as 1,000 local branches and more than 800 college and university members. Learn more at www.aauw.org. Branch information is at http://ore-ca.aauw.net or by emailing the branch at AAUW.ORE@gmail.com. Graduates holding an associates or higher degree from an institution of the AAUW list of qualified institutions and persons holding an honorary degree are eligible for membership in AAUW.
