For this week's Feel-Good Friday, Gen Z and "Nawlins'" shine brightly. Boomers and Gen X are rightly concerned about the damage that has been done, and is being done, to young people due to the Marxist indoctrination and gender ideology being shoved down their throats. This only adds to the depression, anxiety, and hopelessness of young people under 30. However, a wicked-smart, high school freshman with a heart of compassion and a spirit of innovation is standing out as the cream of the crop among her peers. Her groundbreaking invention could transform diagnostic medicine, and change the game for anyone who fears suffering a stroke.

Ever since 14-year-old Naya Ellis can remember, science has been her favorite subject and she has wanted to help others by working in the medical field. She recalls taking care of her mother when she was about 7 years old, helping change her bandages during her battle with breast cancer. Now, the ninth-grader has combined her love of science and her desire to support others by designing a watch that detects signs of a stroke in adults. She was named a champion in the National STEM Challenge for her invention last month. 

GENIUS! 14 year old New Orleans native Naya Ellis created a new invention, called “WingItt” a watch that measures heartbeat and nerve impulses to pick up early signs of a stroke. “Many stroke victims develop signs such as a droopy face or strange taste in their mouth, but she… pic.twitter.com/rsJu45q1cD

— SAY CHEESE! 👄🧀 (@SaycheeseDGTL) March 25, 2024

John F. Kennedy High School in New Orleans (where Ellis attends) sponsors a program called STEM NOLA. School aged-children from kindergarten through 12th grade get hands-on education and opportunities to do projects in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The eight-month-long STEM fellowship is offered to low-income high school students of color, and gives them a chance to network with professionals in the field and to tinker. The program is a great launch pad into a career in STEM.

Ellis signed up for the fellowship because she wanted to keep busy. What a testament to her drive, ambition, and vision for her future. My mother used to always say, "An idle mind is the devil's workshop." Or perhaps Ellis was instructed in the Proverb, "Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring wealth." 

The fact that she desires to be someone who is productive, and pursues deeper knowledge and growth in her field of interest, speaks volumes to her character. 

STEM NOLA offers a free weekend program as well, which allows the students to innovate and come up with individual projects. In October 2023, Ellis' first STEM Saturday, she came up with the concept of a watch that could detect seizures. The math wasn't matching in terms of detecting brain function, but just like with cheese and penicillin, what appeared to be an accidental discovery turned into a life-changing direction. On the last weekend of the program, Ellis discovered her watch was actually measuring blood, nervous system, and heart rhythm, and Ellis rolled with it. 

WATCH:

This is incredible.

Naya Ellis, a 14-year-old student at John F. Kennedy High School in New Orleans, designed a stroke-detecting watch named WingItt, earning a championship in the National STEM Challenge. pic.twitter.com/EQFnk0iLW4

— The Casey Fund (@TheCaseyFund) April 9, 2024

Ellis named her invention "WingItt," but Ellis' knowledge, diligence, and creativity are anything but winging it.

The watch works by detecting nerve impulses and heartbeats. Naya says that many stroke victims may develop noticeable signs such as a droopy face or strange taste in their mouth, but she wanted to create something that can detect internal symptoms. As she researched, she found that strokes were more common in people 55 and older than in younger people, so she wanted to cater to this demographic. As she works out the kinks in her prototype, she wants to ensure that it is detecting only strokes and not picking up on other issues, such as those involving the heart.

Ellis also wants to ensure that the technology is affordable for that demographic—the 55-plus adults who are at the highest risk of stroke. “I want to do something I’m interested in, that will also change the world,” Ellis said.

A huge thank you to the New Orleans Legislative Delegation and the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus for acknowledging the exceptional achievements of Naya Ellis and Jayden Hall as champions in the National STEM Challenge during the legislative session on Tuesday, April 9. pic.twitter.com/piaKjHcXyK

— STEM NOLA (@STEMNOLA) April 12, 2024

For over 55 adults like myself, Ellis has already done wonders to change the game. There is great hope for her future and ours.