18 Under 18 Highlight: Trinity Peters

Trinity Peters will begin her studies in environmental engineering at Colorado State University-Fort Collins this fall. It sure sounds like a good fit: Trinity has devoted much of her life to robotics and the environment. “My ultimate goal is to become a project manager, anywhere where I can express my environmental engineering passion,” she said.

Trinity is the captain of the 1828 BoxerBots team for the Vail School District. She also is a leader in the YES (Youth Engaged Stewardship) program that surveys the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area in Tucson for conservation. Through the robotics program, she and a team design and build robots over a six-week period to complete a challenge.

“This year our robot had to pick up power cubes and place them on various levels,” she said. “When I was 7 my mom and dad took my brother and me to a robotics competition. It was really exciting. I wanted to be a part of it. In eighth grade, I could join a team, and now this is my fifth year on it.”

What do you want to be doing in 10 years? I hope to in 10 years hold multiple master’s degrees in environmental engineering or sustainable development, different things like that, working for an engineering firm and having a steady job.

Who’s your biggest inspiration? My mom. She demonstrated hard work to me and pursuing a goal. She was in the military and she’s able to demonstrate strength and prove that just because you’re a female, it doesn’t mean you can’t contribute as much or more. She’s showed me that I can succeed in a male-dominated industry.

What’s the best advice you’ve received? Not letting anyone put you down. Make sure you stay strong. Women can take power and control in a leadership situation.