Prairie Du Chien student gets accepted into summer program at MIT

PRARIE DU CHIEN, Wis. (WKBT) -- A Prairie Du Chien high schooler is one of handful of students in the nation selected for a highly prestigious MIT program.

Junior Allie Mathies is a one-of-a-kind student, and you'll struggle to find a high schooler busier than her.

"I do forensics, I do vocal jazz, I'm in book club. I'm also in student leadership, so I do student council and I'm in the student leadership council. I also do mock trial," Mathies said. "Sports wise, I do swim team and I'm involved in soccer varsity and cross-country varsity as well."

You'll also struggle to find a harder worker.

"She just has ability, and grit, and determination and a work ethic," said English teacher Marge Johnson.

That determination is paying off for Mathies. Earlier this spring, she learned she'll be in Boston this summer taking part in MIT's Women in Technology Program.

"I was actually at lunch when I got the email and I was reading it, and all of my friends were sitting around me," Mathies said. "I almost started crying my eyes out when I was sitting there, and I was like freaking out inside," said Mathies.

The program is for students who are underserved in engineering, including those who have limited access to certain STEM classes. Mathies' experience of not being able to take an engineering class motivated her to apply for the program.

"I was planning on doing an engineering class this year, but it was canceled because UW-Platteville didn't have enough funding for the class."

Mathies is one of just 20 students accepted into this year's program.

Despite her academic prowess, Allie's teachers say her heart is as impressive as her brain.

"If every student in class was like Allie it would certainly be the dream teaching job. She's kind and generous," said Johnson. "I think she's just someone for the younger kids to look up to."

Mathies also received a perfect score on her ACT this year.

She hopes her successes will inspire other students like her to chase their dreams.

"You can do big things even though you come from such a small place if you really put your heart and mind after it."

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