Event will recognize 41 high school recipients, one collegiate finalist and two educators for computing achievements

Tuesday, March 19, 2019
Award Recipients Group Photo 2018

The University of New Hampshire STEM Discovery Lab at Manchester is proud to announce the 2019 recipients of the NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing. The award, sponsored by the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT), recognizes high school women for their computing-related achievements and interests as part of an effort to encourage more young women to choose careers in technology.

A total of 41 high school award recipients, one collegiate finalist and two educator recipients were selected from high schools across New Hampshire for their outstanding aptitude and aspirations in technology and computing as demonstrated by their computing experience, computing-related activities, leadership experience, tenacity in the face of barriers to access, and plans for post-secondary education.

Each award recipient will receive a personalized award recognizing her future goals in computing and technology and recognition at a ceremony at UNH Manchester on March 30.

“Encouraging young women’s interest in technology careers is critical: our workforce needs their creativity and their innovation,” said Lucy Sanders, CEO and Co-founder of NCWIT.

“The STEM Discovery Lab is proud to be the New Hampshire affiliate coordinator of this prestigious award,” says STEM Discovery Lab coordinator Emily Kerr. “These young women are leaders and mentors for the next generation of women in tech.”

The mission of the STEM Discovery Lab is to engage with local communities to provide STEM education access and opportunities to volunteers, educators, and youth. We work in partnership with University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension to create challenging, hands-on learning in STEM and language arts.

The National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) is a non-profit community of more than 850 universities, companies, non-profits, and government organizations nationwide working to increase women’s participation in computing and technology. NCWIT equips change leaders with resources for taking action in recruiting, retaining, and advancing women from K–12 and higher education through industry and entrepreneurial careers.  Find out more at www.ncwit.org.

For more information, please contact Emily Kerr, UNH STEM Discovery Lab coordinator.

 

Recipients and Schools

National Honorable Mention

  • Julia Zhang, Nashua High School South         
  • McKayla Hartman, Newmarket High School - Seacoast School of Technology        
  • Jenny Yang, Phillips Exeter Academy 
  • Meili Gupta, Phillips Exeter Academy
  • Penny Brant, Phillips Exeter Academy           

New Hampshire Affiliate Winner

  • Thaovy Le, Academy for Science and Design
  • Aya Eyceoz, Bishop Guertin High School       
  • Meera Kurup, Bishop Guertin High School
  • Rose Speidel, Concord High School
  • Samara Holmes, Exeter High School - Seacoast School of Technology         
  • Madeline McCallister, Exeter High School - Seacoast School of Technology
  • Leah Marville, The Founders Academy         
  • Sarah Fung, The Founders Academy 
  • Olivia Simon, Hanover High School    
  • Lily Jackson, Hollis Brookline High School
  • Kimiya Parker-Hill, Manchester West High School    
  • Shannon McInnis, Nashua High School South           
  • Anjali Gupta, Phillips Exeter Academy           
  • Narmana Vale, Phillips Exeter Academy        
  • Olivia Kendzulak, Windham High School       

New Hampshire Affiliate Honorable Mention

  • Lara Chern, Bow High School
  • Kristina Gaston, Concord High School           
  • Erika Sena, Dover High School           
  • Amanda Hodgkins, Fall Mountain Regional High School       
  • Gabriella Alvarez, The Founders Academy
  • Corinne Robitaille, Manchester West High School    
  • Julia Robitaille, Manchester West High School
  • Caroline Boudreau, Milford High School       
  • Grace Blackadar, Moultonborough Academy           
  • Millie Choy, Pinkerton Academy       
  • Samantha DiGenova, Pinkerton Academy    
  • Alexia Assaf, Windham High School
  • Regan Krizan, Windham High School 
  • Jillian Peet, Windham High School    
  • Samantha Van Seters, Windham High School           

New Hampshire Affiliate Rising Star

  • Ashley Panzino, Bow High School
  • Erin MacDonald, Hollis Brookline High School
  • Megan Strecker, Hollis Brookline High School
  • Vanessa Thomas, Hollis Brookline High School
  • Maria Toupin, Hollis Brookline High School
  • Olivia Rondeau, Pembroke Academy

Educator Award

  • Joanna Marcotte, The Founders Academy, Educator Award Winner
  • Raji Gupta, Windham High School, Educator Honorable Mention

Collegiate Finalist

  • Anna Dodson, Dartmouth College