(From left) Jaevåni Isidro, UOG NCWIT Affliliate Coordinator; Julienne Juaneza; Thomas W. Krise, President of UOG; Dior Nguyen; Judy Marie Delos Reyes; Bianca De Los Angeles; Angeline Francisco; Maria Luceline Alfonso; Yssabelle Valencia; and Rommel Hidalgo, Chief Information Officer for UOG.

 

Seven young women from Guam’s public high schools were honored for their computing-related achievements and interests during University of Guam’s TechFest, which was part of UOG’s Charter Day festivities on March 12. Julienne Juaneza of Southern High School won the National Center for Women in Information Technology (NCWIT) Aspirations in Computing Award, while six other students were recognized with honorable mentions.

As a partner of NCWIT, UOG’s Office of Information Technology facilitated the participation of Guam students and hosted the award ceremony for local recipients.

“We want to encourage young women here in Guam in their interest in technology, so UOG’s Office of Information Technology got involved with NCWIT two years ago and has since facilitated 11 female high school students in being recognized,” said Rommel Hidalgo, chief information officer for UOG. 

NCWIT is a nonprofit of more than 850 universities, companies, non-profits, and government organizations nationwide that are working to increase the participation of girls and women in technology-related fields. Recipients for the Aspirations in Computing Award are selected for their demonstrated interest and achievements in computing, proven leadership ability, academic performance, and plans for post-secondary education.

“These awards are well-recognized in the industry and will be an asset on these students’ resumes as they move into their future careers,” Hidalgo said.

Sponsored by major corporations including Apple, Bank of America, and Microsoft, the Aspirations in Computing award generates visibility for technical young women, encourages continued interest in computing, increases awareness of the gender gap in computing and IT, and emphasizes, at a personal level, the importance of women's participation in computing.

2019 Guam NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Awardees:

Winner

• Julienne Juaneza, Southern High School

Honorable Mentions

• Angeline Francisco, John F. Kennedy High School
• Maria Luceline Alfonso, Simon Sanchez High School
• Dior Nguyen, Simon Sanchez High School
• Judy Marie Delos Reyes, Simon Sanchez High School
• Yssabelle Valencia, Simon Sanchez High School
• Bianca De Los Angeles, Tiyan High School