Campus News

UK, Department of Education Recognize Female High School Students for Computing Achievements

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 26, 2016) — As part of an effort to encourage more young women to choose careers in technology, the University of Kentucky and the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) together with the Department of Education's Student Technical Leadership Program (STLP) recognized 13 female high school students for their accomplishments and aspirations in computing and technology. The award ceremony took place Friday, April 22, at Rupp Arena in Lexington. 

One high school educator, Patty Stinson from South Warren High School in Bowling Green, Kentucky, was also recognized for her efforts in encouraging her students. 

The NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing is a program of the NCWIT, a coalition of over 450 universities, corporations and organizations dedicated to increasing the meaningful participation of women in computing. The NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing was created to acknowledge the computing aspirations of young women, introduce them to leadership opportunities in the field, and generate visibility for women’s participation in computing-related pursuits. Award winners were selected for their outstanding aptitude and interest in computing and desire to pursue computing-related studies of occupations.

The NCWIT Aspirations in Computing program is sponsored nationally by Apple, AT&T, Bank of America, Bloomberg, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Intel, Microsoft and Qualcomm with additional support from Google, Intel, Motorola Solutions Foundation, Symantec and Northrop Grumman.

The Kentucky area 2016 winners are:

  • Annika Avula, Bowling Green High School
  • Elizabeth Brumfield, Paul Laurence Dunbar High School
  • Rachael Buckel, Mercy Academy
  • Hallie Carter, Fulton City High School
  • Allyson Douglas, South Warren High School
  • Nada Kaissieh, Thomas Nelson High School 
  • Eileen Price, Carol Martin Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science
  • Sarah Schwartz, DuPont Manual High School
  • Haleigh Snapp, George Rogers Clark High School
  • Symone Whalin, Larue County High School
  • Daniela Zieba, Sayre School
  • Marissa Kappel, Larue County High School (runner-up)
  • Allanah McBride, Kentucky School for the Deaf (runner-up)

“These awards are very important as they honor high school women for their computing-related achievements," said Sue Scheff, chair of the Kentucky Girls STEM Collaborative project. "We strive to increase girls’ interest in the STEM fields, especially computer science where in 2012 only 18 percent of computer and information science undergraduate degrees nationally were awarded to women.”

UK, STLP and the NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing together represent a collaborative effort by dedicated volunteers. Find out more at www.ncwit.org.

For information on the Kentucky Girls STEM Collaborative, visit http://kgsc.org

UK is the University for Kentucky. At UK, we are educating more students, treating more patients with complex illnesses and conducting more research and service than at any time in our 150-year history. To read more about the UK story and how you can support continued investment in your university and the Commonwealth, go to: uky.edu/uk4ky. #uk4ky #seeblue

MEDIA CONTACT: Jenny Wells, 859-257-5343; jenny.wells@uky.edu