Marilyn Zenko of Manheim Township received the National STEM Champion Award from the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) during the annual Joint Engineer Training Conference Society Awards Gala held in Louisville, Ky., on May 15. This national recognition honors Zenko's commitment to advancing STEM education and outreach.

Established in 1920, SAME has more than 100 posts around the world and is a professional organization that brings together private and public sector professionals from across the architecture, engineering, and construction industry in support of national security. Zenko recently completed her term on the National Board of Direction as chair for the College Outreach Community of Interest. She currently serves as president for the Philadelphia post, where she organizes K-12 STEM initiatives aligned with the SAME Strategic Plan, and previously served as the president of the Phoenix post, where she launched the post's first STEM open house.

Locally, Zenko serves on the board for the North Museum of Nature and Science in Lancaster. She also serves as a community member for the Manheim Township School District Guidance Advisory Council and serves as a speaker for the high school's Engineering Day and Freshman Academy.