Middle & East Tennessee Affiliate

Middle & East Tennessee Affiliate

[The image above shows some of our 2024-25 Aspirations Awardees from the April 12th, 2025 Ceremony]

2024-25 Award Recipients

National Winner: Toluwakitan Akinsola

National Honorable Mention:  Kymanie Louis, Hanifah Mohammed​

Regional Winners:  Toluwakitan AkinsolaCarlee Alberson, Anna Ballantyne, Sahara Breeden, Greta Haroldson, Paige Johnson, Kymanie Louis, Allyson Mao, Hanifah Mohammed, Hailey Moore, Lily Wang, Vianna Watts, 

Regional Honorable Mentions:  Sydney Crook, Zoe Eveland, Jordyn Fillmore, Prachi Griffin, Alexandria Hooks, Kristen Moor, Riley Panzer, Katie Pickel, Jordan Schmidt, Leah Thelen, Piper Thompson

Regional Rising Stars:  Lynae Gomez, Reese Head, Odaly Hernandez, Katelyn Riojas, Violet Roberts

Educator Winner:  Lindsay Englade

Educator Honorable Mention: Kelly Huddleston

Congratulations to all Aspirations in Computing Honorees! 

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2025 NCWIT Aspirations Award Ceremony for the Middle and East Tennessee Affiliate

*************** The Future Starts Here!  **********************

The 2025 AiC award ceremony was held in April to honor 28 high school students, one collegiate finalist, and two educators for the aspirations, efforts, and future plans in computing and technology. Thanks to all volunteers from TN Tech and beyond who helped make this event a success. If you were an awardee but could not attend this year, please apply next year so that we can honor you in person.

Date & Time:  Saturday, April 12, 2025  11 a.m. - 2 p.m. CDT                        

Location: Ashraf Islam Engineering Building, Tennessee Technological University - Cookeville, TN

Tentative Ceremony Agenda:

  • Check-in:  10:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. (CDT)
  • Fun activities (e.g. Bedazzle your debugging duck, cyber security activities, AI fun): 11 a.m. - noon
  • Awards ceremony with invited speakers (full lunch provided): 12-2:15 p.m.
  • Optional tour of new engineering building and/or campus: begins 2:15 p.m.

For information about the NCWIT Aspirations in Computing program visit the Aspirations High School Award Information page. Please contact [email protected] with any questions about the Middle and East Tennessee Affiliate of the Aspirations Award. Each qualified awardee receives a medal, certificate, and a variety of swag. National winners and honorable mention receive a trophy.


Affiliate Goals

1. Increase high school participation by at least 5 schools in the middle and east Tennessee area. 2. Retain applicants from previous years who have not graduated from high school. 3. Raise awareness of high school graduates of the collegiate award. 4. Recruit more volunteers to fill AiC affiliate committee roles. 5. Raise awareness of the Aspirations in Computing Impact Award (https://www.aspirations.org/aspireit/impact-award)
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