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Sail Her Dreams Wraps Up Inspiring Summer 2025 Season on Lake Michigan
- erica trejo
- Aug 18
- 2 min read
Chicago, IL – Summer 2025 – The sails have come down on our very first transformative season of Sail Her Dreams, the STEM sailing academy for girls ages 10–18 at Great Lakes Sailing. Founded by USCG Captain and US Sailing–certified instructor Erica Trejo, the program combined the adventure of sailing with immersive lessons in science, technology, engineering, and math—all while fostering leadership, confidence, and stewardship of Lake Michigan.
Industry Mentors Bring STEM to Life
Throughout the summer, girls were guided by accomplished women professionals who linked real-world STEM careers to hands-on sailing experiences:
Rachel Phillion of GE Healthcare introduced ultrasound technology, teaching how sound waves travel through water and connect to medical imaging.
Janet Olson, architect and founder of Material Element Studios, led an exploration of green roof design, complete with model-building and a live water-table demonstration.
Rory Rubin of SI Container Builds inspired participants with a tour of sustainable modular architecture at Navy Pier Marina, showcasing a building made from 12 repurposed shipping containers.
Shelby Brunner from the Great Lakes Observing System (GLOS), who shared her incredible expertise of Marine Biology demonstrating how to operate the SONDE — and the best part? Our sailors used it every week throughout the program to collect valuable data right from the water!
Danielle Gallet founding principal of Waterwell, who shared real-world insights on careers in water and sustainability—showing students how STEM leads to impactful work.
Guest mentors from environmental science groups guided lessons on watersheds, bird migration, and water quality testing, connecting the lakefront ecosystem to global conservation efforts.
Values Beyond the Classroom
The curriculum emphasized not just STEM skills, but also collaboration, resilience, and environmental responsibility. “When we were testing water samples, I realized that science isn’t just something in a textbook—it’s happening right here, where we sail,” said Melanie, age 14, one of the participants.
Volunteers and instructors highlighted how quickly the students grew into leaders. By the end of the week, girls who had never set foot on a sailboat were taking the helm and giving commands with confidence. Watching that transformation was powerful.
A Season of Impact
Parents and community members also saw the difference. “This program shows my daughter that she belongs both on the water and in a STEM lab,” shared Monica Rivera, a parent volunteer. “That visibility matters.”
Program founder Erica Trejo reflected on the summer’s achievements:
“Every tack, every experiment, every question builds a bridge between these young women and their future. Our goal has always been to create not just sailors, but stewards and leaders. Seeing their excitement when they connect STEM to sailing—and realize they can do both—is why we keep raising the sails.”
Looking Ahead
With plans to expand into a year-round STEM and sailing education center at Montrose Harbor, Sail Her Dreams continues to chart new horizons. The 2025 season may be over, but its impact is just beginning—seen in the confidence of each girl who now knows she can navigate both the waters of Lake Michigan and the possibilities of her future.
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