THE WOMEN'S ISSUE
considered the test a success, both for the program she’d built and for the potential of AI to contribute to the humanities moving forward. “I thought it would be really cool to do art and computer science together,” Jayden says. “And it turns out, a lot of research is currently being done on whether or not computers can actually be creative, and if people can get the same feelings and sense that they would if they were viewing a human’s piece of art.” Jayden’s success in that initial test prompted her to push the program through to the Chatham County Schools Science Fair, which she won, and then later to the Region 5 North Central Regional Science & Engineering Fair in late February. The recognition for her digital program represented a perfect melding of two passions for the budding young artist, who had already placed first in the state’s National Beta Club convention’s digital art division and eighth in the country’s National Beta Club convention. “One thing that makes Jayden stand out is she took the opportunity to take a research class,” Charlotte says, “and she developed an artificial intelligence research project and implemented that project in community college as a 16-year-old. She certainly is special in that way – to take that initiative and then to be so persistent at doing something that most people would never even start.” Jayden’s next step is to combine her fondness for computer science and art into a profession. She plans to attend N.C. State University, one of the few universities that has a minor specifically for video game design. She’ll tap into her creativity to dream up games … and then use her coding skills to create them. – by Hannah Lee 32
CHATHAM MAGAZINE
APRIL / MAY 2021
MARIA PARKER-LEWIS
OWNER, THE SYCAMORE AT CHATHAM MILLS, FOREST HALL AT CHATHAM MILLS AND 39 WEST CATERING BOARD PRESIDENT, MAIN STREET PITTSBORO VICE PRESIDENT AND EVENTS COMMITTEE CHAIR, PITTSBORO BUSINESS ASSOCIATION Maria and her husband, Greg Lewis, opened the Pittsboro Roadhouse in 2012. The restaurant and music venue closed in 2020, but the pair remain active in their other ventures: The Sycamore at Chatham Mills, Forest Hall at Chatham Mills and 39 West Catering. She is originally from Pineville, Pennsylvania, and moved to Silk Hope in 2007, drawn to its rural charm. She and Greg have three daughters: Angelina, 17, who attends Chatham School of Science and Engineering; Adelena, 22, who recently graduated from Temple University; and Arianna, 25, who attends Wake Technical Community College.
To [be] chosen as one of the top 40 women was utter and complete joy and disbelief. I worked very hard to get to that moment.” – Jayden Sansom
A
global pandemic couldn’t stop Maria Parker-Lewis’ drive to share. In fact, it kicked her tenacity for community involvement into high gear. In March 2020, the first month of the statewide shutdown, Maria reached out to Panda Packs, a volunteer effort ensuring Pittsboro Elementary School students have enough to eat when they aren’t in school. Maria and her husband, Greg, suggested Panda Packs use the Pittsboro Roadhouse as a resource to prep and store meals. The couple eventually expanded their personal efforts to support other Chatham schools, Chatham Outreach Alliance (CORA) and Communities in Schools of Chatham County. A year later, the couple still donates up to 40 meals every week. Maria and Greg catered numerous fundraisers for community organizations including Main Street Pittsboro, Abundance NC and Chatham Literacy during the eight years the Roadhouse was open. They also