In honor of International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we are incredibly proud to highlight two of our own trailblazers who lead by example every day..

Our In-House Chemist: Selena Keith
Selena brings the world of molecular science to life, showing our students that chemistry isn't just in a textbook—it's in everything we touch, eat, and breathe.

Our In-House Engineer: Charlene Gladney. Charlene embodies the precision and creativity of engineering, exemplifying the precision and problem-solving grit required to build a better future.

Aiming High: A Scientist’s Heart at Operation Xcel

As we wrap up our celebration of International Day of Women and Girls in Science,
we wanted to share a few final words from our interview with Selena Keith.

Selena reminded us that science isn't just about a lab coat; it's about confidence
and literacy. "Scientific success depends on the ability to read closely
and make sense of complex ideas," she noted.

By using everything from Van de Graaff generators to home-made caramel,
Selena and our founder, Charlene Gladney, are ensuring that our students’
"arrows" are aimed directly at success.

Thank you, Selena and Charlene, for being the "proof of concept"
our students need to see.

Did You Know? Our educators come from a legacy of excellence. Selena Keith’s sister, Dr. Jill Keith, was the 11th Black woman in the U.S. to earn a PhD in Synthetic Organic Chemistry!

To honor Black History Month, we celebrate Dr. Percy Julian (1899–1975).

A giant in organic chemistry research, Dr. Julian overcame staggering racial barriers to become a world leader in synthesizing medicinal compounds from plants. His work made life-saving drugs like birth control pills and cortisone (to treat arthritis) affordable and accessible.  

He also invented a soy-based fire-extinguishing foam used to save thousands of sailors during WWII.

The Takeaway: Innovation knows no boundaries. Dr. Julian’s legacy is a testament to the power of persistence in the lab and in life.

The "Xcel" Connection: Dr. Julian turned nature into medicine. We encourage our students to look at the world around them with a scientist’s eye, knowing that the solutions to tomorrow’s challenges are often hidden in the plants and materials we see every day.

This week, we find ourselves at the intersection of Valentine’s Day and Random Acts of Kindness Week (Feb 9–15). Kindness isn't just a "soft skill"—it is the social lubricant that makes teamwork and innovation possible.

This Week’s "STEM" Kindness Prompts:

Did you witness a "Catalyst" moment this week?  Click the button above to tell us about
a student or staff member who went out of their way to be kind!

Are you looking for a meaningful way
to give back while completing your graduation requirements? Operation Xcel
is an approved site for Guilford County Schools Service Learning hours.

Mentoring our younger students is a powerful way to satisfy your required
20 service-learning hours while building your own leadership skills.
Come be the "bridge" for a student in our after-school programs!

Even though the school year is in full swing, checking in on your child's emotional health is a year-round priority. Try the "Rose, Thorn, & Bud" nightly habit:

Beyond the candy and cards, let’s use this February 14th to celebrate the Heart of STEM. Science and Engineering thrive on collaboration and empathy. Whether you're celebrating with friends, family, or partners, remember that the most powerful "formula" for a great community is simply being kind to one another.

At Operation Xcel, we believe that to prepare students for a 21st-century economy, we must nurture the whole scholar. That is why we are proud to highlight our transition from STEM to STEAM—integrating the Arts as a force multiplier for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.

But the "A" is about more than just creativity; it’s about representation and results.

This week, we are celebrating a pioneer who embodies this mission: Alma Thomas. A career educator for 35 years, Ms. Thomas proved that the classroom is a laboratory for greatness. In 2015, her masterpiece Resurrection made history as the first artwork by an African American woman to enter the permanent White House Historical Collection.

"We artists are put on God’s good earth to create. Some of us may be black,
but that’s not the important thing. The important thing is for us to create,
to give form to what we have inside of us. We can’t accept any barriers,
any limitations of any kind, on what we create or how we do it." 
—Alma Woodsey Thomas, 1891-1978

Research shows that when students see their cultural heritage reflected in high-status spaces—like the White House—their academic engagement and GPAs increase. We aren't just teaching art; we are building student confidence.

Alma Thomas proves that a life dedicated to education has a global impact. Your support allows us to provide the "possibility models" that inspire our students to see themselves as the architects of tomorrow’s world.

Join the Conversation on LinkedIn
We’ve shared a deeper look at how Alma Thomas’s legacy is shaping our curriculum and the psychological impact of representation on our scholars.

Please join us on LinkedIn to like, comment, and share this story with your network!

Address:  PO Box 412 - Stokesdale, NC - 27357-0412

Phone:     336-644-3530     EIN 26-3948215

Website:  https://www.operationxcel.org