Mississippi’s Aspirations in Computing Award Winners Announced
Thu, 04/22/2021 - 09:04am | By: Ivonne Kawas
The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) School of Computing Sciences and Computer Engineering and the National Center for Women and Information (NCWIT) - Mississippi Affiliate,
recognized 9th-12th grade students at the Aspirations in Computing (AiC) Award celebration
held April 9 on the USM campus.
As part of an effort to encourage a diverse range of students to choose careers in technology, the students recognized self-identify as women, genderqueer, or non-binary for their computing-related achievements and interests.
The event consisted of a luncheon and celebration of the accomplishments of 16 awardees from across the state for 2021 and 28 for 2020, who have demonstrated outstanding aptitude and aspirations in technology and computing. Categories included: Winners, Honorable Mentions, and Rising Stars.
“We are honored to recognize these emerging leaders at USM and look forward to watching them grow into the technology leaders of tomorrow,” said Sarah Lee, director of the School of Computing Sciences and Computer Engineering.
Each recipient receives recognition and prizes; induction into the AiC Community of nearly 20,000 technical individuals; access to resources, scholarships, and internship opportunities; and more.
The ceremony also recognized Mississippi’s AiC 2021 Educator Award Winner, Cindy Thomas from Choctaw Central High School, and AiC Educator Honorable Mention recipient, Kristi Jernigan from Louisville High School.
The NCWIT AiC Educator Award, which honored one hundred fifty educators from 48 states, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam, identifies exemplary educators who play a pivotal role in encouraging students. The award recognizes these educators for their efforts to promote gender equity in computing.
Thomas, a computing teacher for over 20 years, is currently teaching the STEM class at Choctaw Central High School and serving students in the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. At Neshoba Central, Thomas was student services coordinator for special populations and the career and technical point of contact for the Mississippi Department of Education.
Kristi Jernigan, a technology discovery and STEM instructor at Louisville High School since 2004, is currently teaching the Project Lead the Way (PLTW)-Intro to Engineering course for 9th and 10th grade students. Jernigan is the advisor for two student organizations, Technology Student Association (TSA) and LHS Robotics.
“These educators' support goes a long way in motivating students to apply their creativity and unique perspectives as they learn computational skills. Students are often more likely to pursue computing education when they are encouraged by their educators and other adult influencers,” said NCWIT CEO and Co-founder Lucy Sanders.
Special guests for the award celebration included Rian Walker, Assistant Vice President and Information Security Analyst, Bank of America and Bridget Quinn, NCWIT Aspirations Regional Affiliate Manager.
The recipients for the 2021 NCWIT-Mississippi for the AiC Award include:
Addison Robertson | New Hope High School
Hometown: Millport, Ala. | Graduation Year: 2023
2021, 2020 AiC Award Winner
Amanda Zhou | Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science
Hometown: Memphis, Tenn. | Graduation Year: 2022
2021 AiC Award Winner
April Guo-Yue | Starkville High School
Hometown: Starkville, Miss. | Graduation Year: 2022
2021 AiC Award Winner
Bridget Foster | Gautier High School
Hometown: Mobile, Ala. | Graduation Year: 2022
2021 AiC Award Winner
Charity Doster | Louisville High School
Hometown: Louisville, Miss. | Graduation Year: 2022
2021, 2020 AiC Award Winner
Haley Hill | Louisville High School
Hometown: Louisville, Miss. | Graduation Year: 2022
2021 AiC Honorable Mention, 2020 AiC Winner
Jessica Yan | Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science
Hometown: Starkville, Miss. | Graduation Year: 2022
2021 AiC Award Winner
Jimilia Harris | New Hope High School
Hometown: Columbus, Miss.| Graduation Year: 2022
2021, 2020 AiC Award Winner
Kaidence Marshall | Choctaw Central High School
Hometown: Philadelphia, Miss. | Graduation Year: 2023
2021 AiC Rising Star
Kristin Jernigan | Louisville High School
Hometown: Louisville, Miss. | Graduation Year: 2023
2021, 2020 AiC Award Winner
Memorie Willis | Choctaw Central High School
Hometown: Philadelphia, Miss. | Graduation Year: 2022
2021 AiC Award Winner
Micah Hill | Laurel High School
Hometown: Laurel, Miss.| Graduation Year: 2023
2021, 2020 AiC Award Winner
Paige Floyd | Pascagoula High School
Hometown: Pascagoula, Miss.| Graduation Year: 2021
2021 AiC Award Winner
Taylor McMillan | Choctaw Central High School
Hometown: Philadelphia, Miss.| Graduation Year: 2022
2021 AiC Honorable Mention
Tebit Gang | Lewisburg High School
Hometown: Hernando, Miss. | Graduation Year: 2021
2021 AiC Award Winner
Tori Williams | Pascagoula High School
Hometown: Moss Point, Miss.
2021 AiC Rising Star
For the 2020 Awardees listing, visit Aspirations in Computing.
About NCWIT Aspirations in Computing
The National Center for Women & Information Technology (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.
NCWIT AiC is a sweeping national talent development initiative for women in computing, from kindergarten through graduate school and beyond. The program provides year-round, high-touch, structured engagement, recognition, opportunities and encouragement, as well as lifelong peer and professional networks for thousands of technically inclined women. Since 2011, more than 500 educators have been recognized and have received more than $225,000 in professional development funding to improve their computing education skills. (aspirations.org)