Junior Marina Cano and Sophomore Gwynne Sahyun were honored with the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) Award for Aspirations in Computing Sunday afternoon, April 22, during a program at Alverno College in Milwaukee. Seventy-one young women from across the state of Wisconsin were presented with awards during the event. This group included 26 Wisconsin Honorable Mention Awardees, 35 Wisconsin Winners, and 10 National Honorable Mention Awardees. Cano received a Wisconsin Honorable Mention, and Sahyun was named a Wisconsin Winner.

As award winners, each young woman will have the ability to apply for grants up to $3000 to create opportunities for girls in our elementary schools and middle school, and they will become part of a national community of women studying and working in IT who can provide support, advice, and career opportunities.

NCWIT is a non-profit community of more than 1100 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. The NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing honors high school women who are active and interested in computing and technology and encourages them to pursue their passions.