Ohio NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Awards Recognize 51 Students for Excellence in STEM
The Ohio branch of the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT), in collaboration with KeyBank, recognized 51 high school students from across Ohio during the 2025 Aspirations in Computing awards held on Saturday, April 12th in Columbus, Ohio. The honorees, including one national winner, were celebrated for their leadership in technology, robotics, and applied sciences, as well as their academic accomplishments and plans for higher education.
In addition, two STEM educators received special recognition with educator awards. For the past decade, KeyBank has sponsored the Ohio Aspirations in Computing awards. This year’s event included a panel discussion on "Tech thru Time," where professionals shared insights into their career journeys, education, and personal development in STEM fields.
“KeyBank has a longstanding commitment to supporting students who aspire to careers in science, technology, engineering, and math,” stated Amy Brady, KeyBank’s Chief Information Officer. “We congratulate this year's award recipients and take pride in acknowledging their exceptional achievements. These talented students represent the future innovators, and the skills they are honing now will address the challenges of tomorrow.”
Since its inception in 2007, NCWIT has inducted over 10,000 young women into the Aspirations in Computing community, paving the way for their entry into tech careers. The NCWIT Aspirations in Computing program is designed to boost female participation in technology fields by offering encouragement, visibility, community engagement, leadership opportunities, scholarships, and internships to aspiring young women. NCWIT holds both national and local competitions to increase awareness and support for women in tech across the country.
Click here to know more about the national program.
2025 National Honorable Mentions
Afia Ava – Padua Franciscan High School
Mahee Shah – Hathaway Brown High School
2025 National Honorable Mentions
Afia Ava – Padua Franciscan High School
Mahee Shah – Hathaway Brown High School
2025 Ohio Affiliate Award Winners
In addition, two STEM educators received special recognition with educator awards. For the past decade, KeyBank has sponsored the Ohio Aspirations in Computing awards. This year’s event included a panel discussion on "Tech thru Time," where professionals shared insights into their career journeys, education, and personal development in STEM fields.
“KeyBank has a longstanding commitment to supporting students who aspire to careers in science, technology, engineering, and math,” stated Amy Brady, KeyBank’s Chief Information Officer. “We congratulate this year's award recipients and take pride in acknowledging their exceptional achievements. These talented students represent the future innovators, and the skills they are honing now will address the challenges of tomorrow.”
Since its inception in 2007, NCWIT has inducted over 10,000 young women into the Aspirations in Computing community, paving the way for their entry into tech careers. The NCWIT Aspirations in Computing program is designed to boost female participation in technology fields by offering encouragement, visibility, community engagement, leadership opportunities, scholarships, and internships to aspiring young women. NCWIT holds both national and local competitions to increase awareness and support for women in tech across the country.
Click here to know more about the national program.
2025 National Honorable Mentions
Afia Ava – Padua Franciscan High School
Mahee Shah – Hathaway Brown High School
2025 National Honorable Mentions
Afia Ava – Padua Franciscan High School
Mahee Shah – Hathaway Brown High School
2025 Ohio Affiliate Award Winners
| Student's Name | School Name |
| Laasya Acharya | William Mason High School |
| Shivani Arulselvan | Padua Franciscan High School |
| Afia Ava | Padua Franciscan High School |
| Lilah Ball | Lakewood High School |
| Katie Benson | Hudson High School |
| Naisha Chopra | North Royalton High School |
| Ayesha Faruki | Mentor High School |
| Riya Hegde | Western Reserve Academy |
| Maya Houghton | Hathaway Brown School |
| Rebecca Jacob | Solon High School |
| Ava Kohlhaas | Lakota East High School |
| Audrey Malcuit | Padua Franciscan High School |
| Vaishnavi Rachuri | Dublin Jerome High School |
| Sonia Robinson | Hathaway Brown School |
| Mahee Shah | Hathaway Brown School |
| Kathleen Smith | Springfield-Clark County |
| Tori Smith | Magnificat High School |
| Maggie Smith | Padua Franciscan High School |
| Sahana Srikanth | William Mason High School |
| Sosena Tefera | Anderson High School |
| Rachel Tong | Olentangy Orange High School |
| Kaovya Vel | Westlake High School |
| Zaynah Wahab | Solon High School |
2025 Ohio Affiliate Honorable Mentions
| Student's Name | School Name |
| Emily Ahmad | Centerville High School |
| Aanvi Dogra | Dublin Jerome High School |
| Mengxin Deng | Magnificat High School |
| Kayleise Travis | Magnificat High School |
| Bohdan Chuprynka | North Royalton High School |
| Sophia Regoli | Canal Winchester High School |
| Gautami Kondekar | Dublin Jerome High School |
| Olivia Scarlatella | Felicity-Franklin High School |
| Yujing Li | North Royalton High School |
| Charlie Clements | Stow-Munroe Falls High School |
| Vidhissha Sharma | Solon High School |
| Sanyu Karathody | North Royalton High School |
| Tiffany Perez Garcia | Springfield-clark County |
| Amritha Kishan | Solon High School |
| Haasini Sanisetty | Hathaway Brown School |
| Harman Kaur | Dayton Regional Stem School |
| Ravia Bhullar | Nordonia High School |
| Sophia Swartwood | Padua Franciscan High School |
| Cailyn Hua | Western Reserve Academy |
2025 Ohio Affiliate Rising Stars
| Student's Name | School Name |
| Siyuan Zhang | Solon High School |
| Giana Trolio | Ursuline High School |
| Maya School Sensabaugh | C-TEC Career And Technology Education Centers of Licking County |
| Riley Wilkerson | Ross High School |
| Kaavya Gulia | Solon High School |
| Anna McCracken | Westerville South High School |
| Alex Tehoke | Padua Franciscan High School |
| Victoria Goss | Padua Franciscan High School |
| Lyla Doucette | Brecksville-Broadview Heights High |
2025 Ohio Educator Winner
Jeff Rhodes – North Royalton High School
2025 Ohio Educator Honorable Mention
Greg Sauline – Ursuline High School
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