Senior is Amazon Future Engineer Scholar

Amazon Future Engineer scholarships empower the next generation of tech innovators, and Parker senior Solena Ornelas Pagnucci is the recipient of a $40,000 ($10,000 per year) award to pursue higher education in computer science or other computer science-related fields in college next year and beyond.

Pagnucci learned of this achievement by way of a surprise announcement. A former recipient of this award, Cindy Ambriz, visited Parker to speak to the entire MATE underwater ROV team about the program and encourage students to apply for it. In closing her presentation, Ambriz shared that only seniors are eligible for this award, and a winner was present in the room—before formally recognizing Pagnucci with this honor, with her mother and friends present. Celebration and cake followed to commemorate the occasion. 

Pagnucci is the CEO of Parker’s Underwater MATE ROV team and secured this award based on her application, classroom performance, real-world experience and other factors. Hers is one of 400 similar scholarships the program awards annually and one of six for a deserving Chicago student. 

In addition to financial assistance, Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship recipients are invited to summer internships as part of a team building projects that have a real impact on Amazon customers. Those that participate in the internship have exposure to the Amazon business and can build their professional networks and connect with a dedicated career mentor. 

Reflecting upon this significant accomplishment, MATE ROV coaches Elizabeth Druger and Brianna Ifft agreed, “We could not be more proud of Solena. Since her freshman year, she has been a cornerstone of our underwater robotics program. Solena has led the largest team in our history and implemented key improvements that enabled the development of the most sophisticated ROV that the team has produced to date.

“Earlier in her Upper School career, Solena, alongside fellow senior Paige Randall, developed the control code that continues to serve as the foundation for the system today. Over time, she contributed to advancing its capabilities, incorporating increasingly sophisticated features to the code, including mapping algorithms that allow for full 360-degree movement of the ROV.

“In her senior year, Solena focused on her role as CEO, guiding the team with vision and discipline while supporting continued innovation. Her leadership, technical expertise and sustained commitment have left a lasting and meaningful impact on our program.”

Parker congratulates Pagnucci on this major accomplishment!

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