EPCHS Alum In The Spotlight: Brooke Scanlon, Class Of 2020

This article was written and submitted by Jade Alfano, an EPCHS student social media/marketing intern.

EVERGREEN PARK, IL — For Brooke Scanlon, an EPCHS Class of 2020 graduate, the path from high school to a NASA internship began with a simple but powerful interest in creating and problem-solving—an interest first sparked inside the halls of Evergreen Park Community High School.

“What I remember most about EPCHS is the spirit and camaraderie everyone had,” Scanlon said. “You could walk down the hall and know just about everyone you walked past, which made it feel really welcoming and easy to be yourself.”

It’s that sense of connection and support that helped shape her confidence early on, laying the foundation for everything that followed.

During her time at EPCHS, Scanlon immersed herself in a wide range of activities. She was a captain of both the swim team and Science Olympiad, participated in soccer, band as a drum major, choir, Mathletes, theatre crew as a stage manager and served as a student ambassador and Operation Snowball Student Government Leader. Through these experiences, she discovered not only her strengths, but also her ability to lead and adapt.

“My favorite memories… were the opportunities it gave me to grow,” she said. “Each group I was part of had its own traditions, nuances, and atmosphere that helped make me who I am today.”

Whether it was her passion for STEM, appreciation for the arts, or the discipline of athletics, EPCHS gave her the spaces to explore it all.

A defining moment in her journey came through EPCHS’ industrial technology program.

“The industrial technology classes with Mr. Ridenour and Mr. O’Connor really fostered my love for creation and machining,” Scanlon said. “I took almost every class they offered, then I became an aide so that I could keep spending time in the shop.”

The hands-on skills she developed there would later translate directly into her engineering studies and career.

After graduating from EPCHS, Scanlon attended the University of Iowa, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering in Mechanical Engineering with a focus in robotics and automation, along with a minor in mathematics. While balancing a demanding academic schedule, she also worked on campus with CAMBUS, the University of Iowa’s public transit system, and as a peer advisor in the College of Engineering.

Her college years were marked by a series of impressive opportunities. In 2023, she interned as a design engineer at Kinze Manufacturing. The following year, she took a major step forward, earning a Flight Software Development Internship at NASA’s Johnson Space Center—an experience that placed her at the forefront of innovation and technology.

At the same time, Scanlon was building a career in service. In 2021, she enlisted in the Iowa Army National Guard, completing basic training and Advanced Individual Training to become an Intelligence Analyst. She later completed Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as a Logistics Officer—demonstrating a commitment to leadership both in and out of the engineering world.

Today, Scanlon continues her journey at Pella Corporation, where she works as an Intelligent Operations Engineer.

“In this role, I focus on making our manufacturing plants run smarter and more efficiently using data and technology,” she said.

From analyzing production processes to implementing automation tools and improving communication systems, her work centers on solving real-world problems through data-driven solutions.

“A big part of my job is working directly with people on the production floor to understand what’s actually happening in real time,” she added. “I take those insights and turn them into data-driven improvements that help the company make better decisions, reduce downtime , and improve overall product quality.”

Looking ahead, Scanlon plans to continue growing within Pella Corporation, exploring different engineering roles and expanding her skill set.

“A great thing about working for Pella is that they encourage trying new positions for your personal and professional growth,” she said.

From her early days exploring industrial technology at EPCHS to working with NASA and beyond, Scanlon’s journey reflects the power of curiosity, involvement , and community. Her story serves as a reminder to current students that the opportunities they embrace today can shape a future far beyond what they might imagine.