Kara Swensen (left) works to get untangled from 17-year-old Alicia Wilby during a Women Soar mentoring program for teen girls at the Nature Center Sunday. Photo by Dave Higdon

Kara Swensen said she didn’t have any female role models growing up. She didn’t even have a lot of people encourage her, wanting to protect her from failure.

That’s why Swensen is back at Women Soar with an empowering message; she wants young girls to know that they can do just about anything if they are determined and try.

The third annual EAA program, meant to introduce young women to career opportunities in math, science and technology fields, was held Sunday and Monday, accompanying the start of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. It brought together 130 teenagers and more than 30 female mentors, everyone from space tourist Anousheh Ansari to WASP who flew during World War II.

"I’m hoping as a group we will help inspire these girls to follow their dreams," said Swensen, whose company Alaris Aviation brings together airplane buyers and sellers. "I had great male role models who believed in me and encouraged me to take risks and believe, and I want to give back."

The event started with a low ropes course with mentors and girls working on team-building exercises.

"I heard some girls say they couldn’t do this or that, but most of them were very supportive and told them they could," Swensen said. "I believe in the power of inspiration. Plus it’s nice to see groups of different cultures and demographics working together."

Ansari, who addressed Women Soar via teleconference last year, said she also came here to be a positive role model for the girls. "This is one of the best ways to get girls to learn about opportunities that are out there and to show them role models. I didn’t have a role model growing up, although my husband became my mentor. I went after things because of his support."

If there is one thing Ansari hopes the girls receive from Woman Soar it is this: "There are tons of opportunities for them. Decide what you want to do with your life and go after it."

Maj. Jill Long is back for her third year as a mentor. And this year she also created a scholarship to send a girl to space camp.

"I come back for the girls who have a spark in their eyes, the ones you can tell are going places and who need to hear that they can," Long said.

This was the first time Melissa Avery, 15, of Tony, Wisconsin, attended Women Soar. She came at the recommendation of her older sister, Katrina, who attended in 2005 and 2006 as a participant and who this year is a mentor after earning her private pilot’s certificate.

"I want to do something in aviation, and I’m thinking about the Air Force," Melissa said. "But I came because I wanted to find out what’s out there. And the mentors are so nice and encouraging."

Amelia Black, 15, of Duluth, Minnesota, came for fun, but she hoped to become more confident thanks to the event. "It’s just good to do things outside the box."

Chelsey Hintze, 17, of Oshkosh, was back for her third year. "The first two years have been such an enriching experience. They were inspiring and educational and opened my mind to new careers in science and math. Plus, it’s amazing to have such successful women around you."