Announcing the 2025 Volunteers of the Year

Every year, eCYBERMISSION is powered by the passion and commitment of incredible volunteers who step up as Mission Mentors, Ambassadors, and Virtual Judges. These individuals play a vital role mentoring students, championing STEM education, and helping shape the next generation of innovators. To celebrate their impact, eCYBERMISSION honors one outstanding Mission Mentor, Ambassador, and Virtual Judge who have gone above and beyond in their roles. We’re proud to announce our 2025 Volunteers of the Year. Please join us in recognizing and celebrating their remarkable dedication!

Mission Mentor of the Year

Amelia Speed

Amelia Speed served as a Scientist & Engineer mentor at NJ&EE for two years before joining the ranks as a year-round Mission Mentor. As a Physical Scientist at the Defense Centers for Public Health-Aberdeen, Amelia is a quality control coordinator working in data analysis, hazardous drug analysis, discrete analysis, and related classical/chromatographic methods. Amelia has always loved STEM and holds both a B.S. in Forensic Science and an M.S. in Analytical Chemistry. When asked why she volunteers with eCYBERMISSION, she shared that "seeing the excitement a student has over a subject that I am passionate in brings me joy. It makes all the difference knowing I was involved in helping cultivate their love of all things science".

Virtual Judge of the Year

Curry Wright

Curry Wright is an Army Futures Command Civilian with duty as Science & Technology Advisor at United States Embassy Ukraine. He has spent the last 15 months forward in Ukraine leading a cross functional team focused on Technology and Innovation. For his efforts supporting Ukraine, he recently became the first Department of Defense employee to receive the Cross of Merit, the highest award of the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces Ukraine. Prior to his assignment in Ukraine, he served in assignments of progressive responsibility at home and abroad as an Intelligence Officer and Program Manager. Curry is a graduate of Georgetown University, the National Intelligence University (NIU), the Joint Forces Staff College, and the Naval War College. Curry is a member of the Acquisition Corps, the Security Cooperation Workforce, a Veteran of the United States Army, and a U.S. Army Reserve Civil Affairs Officer. He enjoys volunteering with eCYBERMISSION because "volunteering with eCYBERMISSION is a great opportunity to give something back to the U.S. Army and hopefully positively influence participants. As a youth, I did not have very many STEM opportunities and it was not until I joined the military that I recognized the importance or the opportunities related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. I saw this as a unique opportunity for students I wish existed when I was in 6-9th grade." His favorite part of being an eCYBERMISSION Virtual Judge is "reviewing the various submissions. As this is a virtual competition, the submissions reflect a diverse amount of thought and application of STEM. I see the next generation educators, scientists, engineers, medical professionals, and astronauts in every submission I judged. I hope this competition influences students to continue pursuing STEM in their future endeavors."

Ambassador of the Year

Gisella Lamas

Dr. Gisella Lamas is an environmental engineer and a dedicated lecturer at the University of Kentucky. Her impactful role in STEM education and her commitment to inspiring students led her to volunteer for eCYBERMISSION. Through her work as a Virtual Judge and Ambassador, Dr. Lamas has not only contributed to the growth and education of young minds but has also fostered a sense of community service among her college students. Her efforts have empowered students to explore the world of STEM and pursue their dreams with confidence. She enjoys volunteering with eCYBERMISSION because "eCYBERMISSION's mission is aligned with what I believe. I do want to see more students seeking STEM careers and I don't think that dreams should be interrupted by hurdles that we do not have control of. You can make a difference on someone's life from miles away thanks to the virtual component of it." Her favorite part of being an eCYBERMISSION volunteer is "to be inspired and reconnect with the dreams and questions I had when I was at their age trying to know more about STEM. It is always a nice surprise to see an inspiring project from the beginning to the end. I have been positively surprised by so many projects throughout these years. It is encouraging to see this type of engagement from the youth and their way to solve real world problems. It motivates me to do more and better for my students."

Thank you to all the incredible eCYBERMISSION volunteers who generously gave their time this year to support and inspire our students. A special shoutout to our three amazing Volunteers of the Year. We’re so grateful for your dedication! To learn more about eCYBERMISSION volunteer opportunities, visit www.ecybermission.com/VolunteerOverview. The 2025 eCYBERMISSION National Judging & Educational Event takes place this June in Chantilly, Virginia. Join us for our two event livestreams, the National Showcase on June 26 at 1PM ET and the National Awards Ceremony on June 27 at 10AM ET. 

Faith Benner

Sr. Communications and Marketing Specialist