INDIANAPOLIS — Warsaw Community High School student Katrielle Rodgers has received an honorable mention for the Indiana Affiliate NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing.

The award, sponsored by the National Center for Women and Information Technology, OneAmerica, Women and Hi Tech, Society for Information Management – Indianapolis Chapter, and Indiana University recognizes 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.

A total of 24 award recipients and 25 honorable mentions were selected from high schools across the state of Indiana for their outstanding aptitude and interest in information technology and computing, solid leadership ability, good academic history, and plans for post-secondary education.

Each award recipient will receive $250 and two engraved awards, one for the student and one for the school’s trophy case.

Rodgers’ interest in computing stems from her interest in 3D printers and the engineering class when she was a freshman. She’s done independent studies in computing at school and worked with a friend to build a program for the friend’s parent’s company that aids in helping interns. In her future career, she plans to develop new technologies for use in the medical field. After graduating from high school, she plans to pursue a degree in computing.

“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.

The National Center for Women and Information Technology is a non-profit community of more than 850 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.