Senior Kristen Kate Tumacder has been selected a 2015 National Award runner-up and an Affiliate Award winner for the National Center for Women and Information Technology (NCWIT) Award for Aspirations in Computing.

This is the third time that an Academy student has been named an Affiliate Award winner for the NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing. Academy graduates Alexis Fraga won in 2013 and Sara Tashima in 2014.

Tumacder was recognized for her computing-related aspirations and for her “demonstrated, outstanding aptitude and interest in information technology and computing; solid leadership ability; good academic history; and plans for post-secondary education.”

Tumacder said, “Through my participation in computing and technology, I learned that I want to continue my technology journey in college and into the future. I plan to major in information technology or computer engineering, depending on the university that I attend in fall 2015.”

Tumacder is one of 350 winners chosen from a competition of 2,500 young women nationwide who are runners-up for the National Award.

The NCWIT AiC Community is an active and supportive group of over 3,300 young women who want to use computing as the means for world betterment.

Bank of America sponsors the national award and provides winners and runners-up with a certificate, a “great prize and some fun swag!”

Tumacder will be listed with other award recipients on aspirations.org.

Tumacder recommends that those who are interested in pursuing  technology-based careers involve themselves in similar subjects.

“Students who are interested in computing and technology should join computing and technology clubs or classes in school. For example, the Academy offers robotics classes in grades one to 12 and the Digital Engineering Honors class to high school,” said Tumacder.