Posted January 29, 2021 in Press Releases
Saint Martin Student Wins Ohio's Rising Stars NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing
Janae Cunningham, Class of 2021, has received the Ohio's Rising Stars NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing (AiC). The award, powered by the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT), recognizes 9th-12th grade students who self-identify as women, genderqueer, or non-binary for their computing-related achievements and interests, as part of an effort to encourage a diverse range of students to choose careers in technology.
This school year is Janae's first experience with computer programming and she jumped right into the AP Computer Science course - she's the only girl in the class! She started her engineering work with Motogo last spring and is interested in pursuing computer science and graphic design after high school.
Award recipients were selected from more than 4,200 applicants from all 50 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, U.S. overseas military bases, and Canada 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 recipient will receive recognition and prizes; induction into the AiC Community of nearly 20,000 technical individuals who self-identify as women, genderqueer, or non-binary; access to resources, scholarships, and internship opportunities; and more.
“Encouraging young women’s interest in technology careers is critical: our workforce needs their creativity and unique perspectives to produce technology that is as broad and innovative as the population it serves,” said NCWIT CEO and Co-founder Lucy Sanders.
“We are proud that one of our own students received this prestigious award. Saint Martin continues to offer computing as part of its curriculum, recognizing its value to students’ future success,” says Brittany Kirby, Computer Science Teacher.
----------------
About Saint Martin de Porres High School
Founded in 2003, Saint Martin de Porres is a Catholic, co-educational high school located in the St. Clair-Superior neighborhood of Cleveland. As a member of the national Cristo Rey�"� Network of schools, Saint Martin is one of 37+ network high schools that uniquely integrates four years of rigorous academic curricula, four years of professional work experience, and robust support to and through college. Serving students from families of limited financial means, Saint Martin empowers students to change the trajectory of their lives through education. Learn more at saintmartincleveland.org.
About NCWIT
NCWIT is a non-profit community that convenes, equips, and unites change leader organizations to increase the influential and meaningful participation of girls and women — at the intersections of race/ethnicity, class, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, and other historically marginalized identities — in the field of computing, particularly in terms of innovation and development. Find out more at www.ncwit.org.
