WHEREAS, Granite Falls High School formed an all-female team to build and race a fuel efficient prototype car named "iron maiden"; and
     WHEREAS, They received funding through a Perkins nontraditional grant as a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) project; and
     WHEREAS, The team, known as the "Shopgirls," built their car in six months with the guidance of instructor Michael Werner and help from many community volunteers; and
     WHEREAS, The "Shopgirls" won their diesel category in the 2010 Shell Eco-marathon Americas competition in Houston, Texas with an amazing 470 miles per gallon and received 1,000 dollars in prize money; and
     WHEREAS, The team has been invited to present at local events, private technology and manufacturing companies, regional conferences such as MTAG, the Green Expo and Imagine the Future, business and community organizations, and other schools regarding their experiences; and
     WHEREAS, Washington State and the "Shopgirls" were recognized in a speech by United States Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, on February 2, 2011, as "one of his favorite examples of the new CTE" in America where students are preparing for 21st Century careers through rigorous and relevant high school Career and Technical Education programs; and
     WHEREAS, Female students are choosing careers in engineering fields and gaining access to major universities as a result of successful experiences in this extraordinary project;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State House of Representatives honor the outstanding efforts put forth by the "Shopgirls."