Middle school students in Rye patiently waited on Tuesday to see a message meant for their classmate, Marisa Marino, sent live from the Perseverance rover on Mars.

Marino, an eighth grade student at School of the Holy Child, was one of 20 students in the nation to receive NASA’s “You’ve Got Perseverance” award.

She hopes to enter the field of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) in the future. Women make up only 28% of that work force in the U.S.

"I think it’s really important that we empower women and empower girls to take on these more important roles in society," Marino told News 12.

Dr. Ashley Massey Marks nominated Marino for the award when she was in the sixth grade after a trip to the Challenger Center in Ramapo. Students simulated a mission to Mars on that trip.

"Marisa happened to be the mission control director,” said Marks. She said Marino didn’t lose her passion for it.

"I hope to one day explore space, but I'm really interested in biotech and pharmaceuticals," said Marino.

School of the Holy Child has a signature program on engineering, architecture and design. It said a high percentage of graduates are pursing those fields in college.

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