ITRI to Recognize 23 High School Women for Computing Achievements

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February 15 , 2018

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To encourage more young women to choose careers in technology, the National Center for Women & Information Technology and Information Technology Research Institute at the Sam M. Walton College of Business will recognize 23 high-school women from Arkansas for their accomplishments and aspirations in computing and technology. The 8th annual Aspirations in Computing recognition program will be held on Tuesday, April 17, as part of the 2018 Women in Information Technology Conference hosted at the University of Arkansas.

“This program encourages young talented women to purse a career in the field of technology, a field that is greatly under represented by females and minorities,” said Eric T. Bradford, managing director of the Information Technology Research Institute.


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2017 Aspirations in Computing award recipients. (Photo by Ryan C. Versey)

The Award for Aspirations in Computing is a program of the National Center for Women & Information Technology, a coalition of over 650 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 have been 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 supported by lifetime sponsor Apple, and national sponsors AT&T, Bank of America, Bloomberg, Google, HP Enterprise, Intel, Qualcomm and Microsoft with additional support from Motorola Solutions Foundation, Northrop Grumman and Symantec.

Below are this year’s recipients from Arkansas:


National Honorable Mentions & Arkansas Affiliate Winners


Yaritza Chavez – Springdale High School

Zoie Keys – Lake Hamilton High School

Anne Li – Central High School (Little Rock)


Arkansas Affiliate Winners


Mckenzie Bernardini – Conway High West

Meghan Bledsoe – Springdale High School

Julia Defoor – Sheridan High School

Bine Domnick – Springdale High School

Kenzie Glass – Arkansas School for Math Sciences and the Arts

Lissette Martinez – Springdale High School

Christine Muoghalu – Lake Hamilton High School

Haley O’Donnell – Riverview High School

Faith Pearrow – Bentonville High School

Dianne Perez – Bentonville West High School A

lekhya Pidugu – Central High School (Little Rock)

Samantha Quintero – Springdale High School

Teion Sanders – Springdale High School

Indu Sen – Springdale High School

Hetvi Shah – Little Rock Central High School

Makenzie Spurling – Mount Ida High School


Arkansas Affiliate Honorable Mentions


Anecya Poole – Conway High West

Gabriela Solis – Springdale High School

Maryfrances Umeora – Valley View High School

Sarah Vogel – Springdale High School


Arkansas Affiliate Educator Awards


Kimberly Raup – Conway High West — Winner

Susan Shaw – Mount Ida High School — Honorable Mention

NCWIT’s work leverages programs from organizations across the country, and connects efforts to increase women’s participation in information technology along the entire pipeline, from K-12 and higher education through industry and academic careers. Find out more at www.ncwit.org.