Freshmen Haley Morgan, Marley Spears and junior Amanda Erdmann break gender stereotypes as they become the first female students to participate in Park Tech.

“It’s really cool to know that I’m one of the first girls to join tech, and I hope more are encouraged to join,” Morgan said.

Now that girls have joined, club adviser Jacob Utities said he hopes it sparks the interest for other girls to join.

“It is good for the atmosphere for Park Tech and it is good for the atmosphere for the school,” Utities said. “If there were no girls in Park Tech to begin with, then maybe they wouldn’t be as inclined to join. With girls there now, it will help more girls join in the future.”

Morgan said now that she built up the courage to join, she enjoys being in Park Tech.

“Park Tech sounded really fun, and I was in Jacob Utities’ class already, so I joined,” Morgan said. “I was really nervous at first because I didn’t know anyone, but it was fun even the first day. Everyone is really accepting and friendly.”

No skill level or requirements are needed for participation in the club, according to  Morgan. She said anyone can gain hands-on experience by joining.

“We learn things to be able to fix computers,” Morgan said. “So far, I’ve learned how to wipe and reformat a hard drive and the basics of building a computer.”

Morgan said despite the fact the club already started, anyone intrigued can still join.

“If there are girls interested they should definitely join or stop in and see how they like it,” Morgan said.

Utities said there is an immense need for girls, especially in the information technology (IT) field.

“Basically, if you can get some experience, you can get yourself a job. They are clammering for girls in this field. It is good money and fun work,” Utities said. “There needs to be a shift from the idea that it’s a man’s profession to an idea that it can be for anybody.”

Utities said having girls in Park Tech will be a motivation not only to other girls, but to the current members as well.

“I think it is excellent. We need to have a little variety, not just a bunch of guys,” Utities said. “I think it motivates. To be fair, it’s a bunch of teenagers, so it is a nice motivation.”

For more information about Park Tech see Utities in room B117.