New Berlin Students Receive State Recognition Through National Center for Women & Information Technology

Four students from the School District of New Berlin have been selected for recognition by the Wisconsin affiliate of the National Center for Women & Information Technology organization. Each of these students were endorsed by a member of the district’s technology team.

• Jennifer King, state winner, New Berlin West (endorsed by Jacqueline DiBella)
• Jaclyn Windorff, state winner, New Berlin West (endorsed by Saghar Homayounpour)
• Anja Schwobe, state winner, New Berlin Eisenhower (endorsed by Aaron Chamberlain)
• Jordan Main, state honorable mention, New Berlin Eisenhower (endorsed by Jennifer Dobner)

The award recognizes young high school women for their computing-related achievements and interests as part of an effort to encourage more young women to choose careers in technology. Award winners were selected from high schools across Wisconsin for their outstanding aptitude and interest in information technology and computing, solid leadership ability, good academic history, and plans for post-secondary education.

The SDNB has significantly increased technology offerings over the past few years to help prepare students for the needs of the projected economy.

"The School District of New Berlin offers an amazing array of tech opportunities for all students,” said Aaron Chamberlain, SDNB computer science teacher. “Anja has taken advantage of many of these opportunities by enrolling in a number of STEM classes including AP Computer Science Principles, printing and publication, intro to engineering, green engineering, and electricity and robotics. She is also a member of the robotics club."

“Jennifer has been a part of the district’s TechKNOW Student Technology Support Program the past two years,” said Jacqueline DiBella, IT student help desk coordinator. “She has displayed continuous growth in both her technical ability and her overall leadership skills. Through her technology department internship, Jennifer played an integral role in the summer preparation and deployment of 1,200 student Chromebooks.”

“I have had Jaclyn in several of my Computer Science classes for the last two years, and she has always amazed me with her talent and passion for programming,” said Saghar Homayounpour, SDNB computer science teacher. “At New Berlin West, we are very proud of Jaclyn’s accomplishments, and are very excited to see more and more female students are finding interest in computer science.”

Each award-winner receives prizes from top technology companies and universities, and is also eligible for scholarship awards. Recognized students join a growing community of like-minded women who can challenge and support each other as they pursue their shared interest in technology.

“Encouraging young women’s interest in technology careers is critical; our workforce needs their creativity and their innovation,” said Lucy Sanders, CEO and co­-founder of NCWIT. NCWIT works to correct the imbalance of gender diversity in technology and computing because gender diversity positively correlates with a larger workforce, better innovation, and increased business performance. Increasing the number of women in technology and computing also has the potential to improve the design of products and services to better serve a more diverse population, and increase economic and social well-being by providing more women with stable and lucrative careers.

“Understanding the environments that our students will learn and work in someday is a critical part of effectively preparing them for life after high school,” said SDNB Superintendent Joe Garza. “Technology is pervasive and presents both risks and opportunities to every industry. Being recognized with the NCWIT award makes these students a role model for other young women and shines a spotlight on women and computing.”

The selected students were recognized at a recent event in the SDNB featuring Gov. Scott Walker. Additionally, they will be honored at an awards celebration to be held May 7, at Alverno College. Approximately 50 young women from across Wisconsin will be honored at this event. Organizations interested in supporting this event should refer to www.aspirations.org/aspirations-community/wisconsin.