MADISON – A national women’s organization has acknowledged the technical initiative of Aparna Bhooshanan, a student at Bob Jones High School. In turn, Gov. Kay Ivey and Alabama State Board of Education also recognized Bhooshanan and issued a state resolution.

Bhooshanan received Honorable Mention as a 2021 awardee in the Aspirations for Computing Initiative with the National Center for Women and Information Technology or NCWIT.

Chartered in 2004 by the National Science Foundation, NCWIT unites approximately 1,500 national organizations invested in change leadership to increase influential participation of girls and women in the field of computing, particularly in terms of innovation and development. (ncwit.org)

In 2021, approximately 4,228 applicants submitted collaterals for Aspirations in Computing awards. Less than 10 percent of applicants across the country succeeded in qualifying.

To congratulate Bhooshanan’s accomplishment, Gov. Kay Ivey issued a resolution that explained the depth Bhooshanan’s honor. “Now that the highly versatile and sought-after computer science skillset is essential in today’s information economy, initiatives that promote computer science awareness and lead to increased college graduates with computing-related degrees are more important than ever,” Ivey wrote in the resolution.

“Inspiring more girls and young women to choose careers in STEM is not about parity … but about a compelling issue of innovation, competitiveness and workforce sustainability, including the ability to design technology that is as broad and creative as the people it serves,” the resolution stated.

To qualify for Honorable Mention, Bhooshanan had to display a high aptitude and aspirations in technology and computing. She demonstrated this skill with computing experience, computing-related activities, leadership experience, tenacity in the face of barriers to access and plans for postsecondary education.

“The Alabama State Board of Education does hereby commend and congratulate Aparna Bhooshanan upon the honor of being selected as one of Alabama’s outstanding young women who display excellence in computer science,” the resolution stated.

Bhooshanan accepted her state resolution during a ceremony with Dr. Wayne Reynolds, a member of Alabama State Board of Education. Other state board members attended the presentation.

Bhooshanan frequently earns honors at Bob Jones, such as her 2021 finalist entry in Reflections Fine Arts Contest and a scholarship from U.S. Department of State to study in China. She has received awards for her poetry and for playing chess.

For more information about National Center for Women and Information Technology, visit ncwit.org/about-ncwit.