At the recent Sammamish City Council meeting, the spotlight shone brightly on the Smiling Tree Rocketry team, a student-led nonprofit dedicated to inspiring youth through STEM education. Team captain Veena Vijay, alongside fellow member Abilam Nail, passionately presented their achievements and future goals, emphasizing their commitment to making aerospace accessible to students in the Sammamish area.

The team has made significant strides in the world of rocketry, competing in prestigious events like the American Rocket League Challenge and the NASA Student Launch Initiative (SLI). They proudly shared their impressive track record, including a top 25 finish nationally in both 2024 and 2025, and their recent qualification for the NASA SLI, where they launched a rocket to over 4,000 feet in Huntsville, Alabama.

Vijay and Nail highlighted their outreach efforts, which have reached over 300 students in King County through workshops and school visits. They aim to expand their initiatives, including plans to host community engagements and strengthen partnerships with local aerospace organizations. The team is seeking support from the city to connect with STEM professionals and potential sponsors, particularly to enhance access to STEM education for underserved communities.

The Smiling Tree Rocketry team's dedication to fostering the next generation of innovators was met with enthusiasm from council members, who recognized the importance of supporting such initiatives in the community. As they continue to inspire young minds, the team hopes to secure the resources needed to further their mission and expand their impact in Sammamish.