Local high school student named as national stem champion

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - One local Yuma High School student is making a scientific impact on a national level.

Eniah Endriga shares how her project might even help keep your backyard safe from fires.

"Those three invasive weeds, red brome, buffelgrass, and stinknet, I want them to know that these invasive weeds really cause great harm, so if they have that in their backyard, or in their house, I think it's best to remove them from there," says Eniah Endriga, National STEM Champion.

She also gives advice to her fellow peers and other students interested in the stem field.

"To reach out to people because you could have these many ideas in your head, but if you don't talk about it, or if you don't reach out to others who could potentially help you, that idea won't be executed," says Endriga.

Endriga is one of thousands of students nationwide who submitted a project last year for consideration in this year's National STEM Festival, and her wish came true as she was selected as a finalist and named the sole 2026 National STEM Champion from Arizona.

"Really, really good. I'm so excited. I was not expecting it," expresses Endriga.

The National STEM Festival is a nationwide initiative designed to inspire and challenge students of all different ages to create solutions in key STEM fields.

Endriga's project analyzes the impact of forest fires and the spread of invasive weeds.

"Eventually, I, with the help of my mentor from the U.S. Forest Service, created management solutions to reduce that invasive weed spread," says Endriga.

In her project, she used mapping, ecosystem stress analysis, and species identification to track how plants can spread across burn sites, causing wildfires to burn faster and hotter.

"I was actually looking at the list of finalists in my state, and there was ten people, and so, to be chosen as the only one representing Arizona is honestly a great honor," says Endriga.

Endriga's hard work will be sending her to Washington D.C. in June to present her project on a national stage.