PRESS RELEASE

Female High School Students Earn Awards for Aspirations in Computing

Kansas City, Mo.— Feb. 9, 2018 – As part of an effort to encourage more young women to choose careers in technology, the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) and Commerce Bank of Kansas City will recognize 18 high-school women for their accomplishments and aspirations in computing and technology at an award ceremony and reception at Kansas City Power & Light. on February 9. 2018.

The young women are winners of the NCWIT Western Missouri and Kansas Affiliate Award for Aspirations in Computing, which recognizes high-school women for their computing-related achievements and interests.  Each winner will receive a glass trophy, a prize donated by Net App and Northwest Missouri State University, an NCWIT messenger bag and swag items provided by NCWIT.  Honorable Mentions for the award will receive a glass trophy, an NCWIT string bag and swag items.

“With technology jobs projected to grow faster than all other job sectors in the next decade, it’s imperative that we nurture the computing aspirations of women, who will make up half the professional workforce,” said Lucy Sanders, CEO and Co-founder of NCWIT.  “This award allows us to recognize and encourage talent that might otherwise be overlooked.”

The NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing was created to encourage the computing aspirations of young women, introduce them to leadership opportunities in the field, and generate visibility for women’s participation in technology fields. Winners are acknowledged for their outstanding aptitude and interest in technology and computing, leadership ability, academic history, and plans for post-secondary education.

Following are the 2018 winners of the NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing – Western Missouri and Kansas Affiliate:

• Maureen Botros, Homeschool, Wichita, KS (also a National Winner)
• Lauren Dowdell, Shawnee Mission West High School, Shawnee Mission, MO.
• Alexis Dyser, Liberty North High School, Liberty, MO (also a National Honorable Mention)
• Noelle Green, Staley High School, Kansas City, MO
• Emma Hubka, Topeka High School, Topeka, KS
• Shelby Jones, Lawrence Virtual High School, Lawrence, KS
• Luann Jung, Manhattan High School, Manhattan, KS
• Abha Kaushik, Blue Valley West High School, Overland Park, KS
• Aamna Khan, Summit Technology Academy, Lee’s Summit, MO
• Chaney Leonard, Wellington High School, Wellington, KS
• Keshvi Mahalingam, Staley High School, Kansas City, MO
• Ruby Rios, Bishop Miege High School, Roeland Park, KS (also a National Winner)
• Chayanne Sandoval-Williams, Grandview High School, Grandview, MO (also a National Honorable Mention)
• Erin Smith, Shawnee Mission West High, Shawnee Mission, KS (also a National Honorable Mention)
• Emiline Stewart, Lee’s Summit West High School, Lee’s Summit, MO
• Carolyn Tran, Andover High School, Andover, KS
• Lailah Weatherspoon, Lee’s Summit High School, Lee’s Summit, MO
• Emily Windsor, Liberty North High School, Liberty, MO

The 2018 Honorable Mention recipients of the NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing – Western Missouri and Kansas Affiliate who will be honored are:

• Arlette Andrade, Grain Valley High School, Grain Valley, MO
• Samantha Baker, Blue Springs High School, Blue Springs, MO
• Sydney Conley, Maryville High School, Maryville, MO
• Carissa French, Liberty High School, Liberty, MO
• Jaime Knight, Turner High School, Kansas City, KS
• Samantha Kreisel, Summit Technology Academy, Lee’s Summit, MO
• Lauren Lawson, Olathe East High School, Olathe, KS
• Hali Liu, Olathe East High School, Olathe, KS
• Emily Parker, Cristo Rey High School, Kansas City, MO
• Margaret Schwartz, One School House – Notre Dame de Sion, Kansas City, MO
• Shelby Soukup, Lee’s Summit North High School, Lee’s Summit, MO
• Rachel Thomas, Liberty High School, Liberty, MO
• Jaden Thompson, Bolivar High School, Bolivar, MO
• Caelen Walker, Career & Technology Center at Ft. Osage, Independence, MO
• Alexia Yerton, Goddard High School, Goddard, KS

About NCWIT

NCWIT is the National Center for Women & Information Technology, a non-profit coalition of over 450 prominent corporations, academic institutions, government agencies, and nonprofits working to improve U.S. innovation, competitiveness, and workforce sustainability by increasing women's participation in IT. NCWIT's work spans K-12 and higher education through industry and academic careers. Find out more at www.ncwit.org.

The Western Missouri and Kansas Affiliate Award is brought to you by the following committee members and corporate sponsors:

Judy Mullins, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Coordinator

Brian Hare, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Selection Committee Chair

Abbey Trotta, Firemon, Program Chair

Dr. Carol Spradling, Northwest Missouri State Univ., Fundraising

and numerous volunteers from academia and industry

Commerce Bank

NetApp

Northwest Missouri State University