Tappan Zee High School senior Molly Culot and junior Cassidy Ng are National Center for Women & Information Technology Regional winners of the 2024 Award for Aspirations in Computing–and Culot earned a National honorable mention!
The NCWIT AiC honors women in grades 9-12 who have demonstrated interest and achievement in computer science, leadership ability, strong academic performance and intent to pursue a related career through post-secondary education. Since 2019, seven TZHS students have earned NCWIT recognition.
Culot, a senior, is the Drive Team Coach and two-time Project Manager for SO BOTZ, TZHS’ FIRST Robotics Competition team. Over the course of her three years on the team, she has served as Drive Team Technician, as well as a member and lead of the Software subteam. Outreach has been a focus of Culot’s efforts with SO BOTZ and her Computer Science Capstone project. In addition to participating in local efforts to promote STEM, she has led a partnership between SO BOTZ and the Kiwimbi Foundation to introduce computer science education and robotics to students in Amagoro, Kenya. Culot is President of the Computer Science Honor Society, Vice President of Mu Alpha Theta and Student Organization and Captain of the Girls Varsity Tennis team. She plans to major in Computer Science and Business Administration at Northeastern University in the fall. This is her third NCWIT Regional AiC win.
Currently an Assistant Project Manager and Outreach & Impact Lead for SO BOTZ, Ng first joined the team in 2021 and has been a member of both the Software and Finance & Marketing subteams. The junior is Treasurer of the Computer Science Honor Society and a member of the Computer Science Club.
“We are proud that our students have consistently been recognized by NCWIT. This award empowers our young women to build confidence and encourages each recipient to pursue their passion. Molly and Cassidy are role models for our younger students and it is wonderful that they have been recognized for their achievements and enthusiasm in the field of computer science!” said TZHS Computer Science teacher Karen Connell, who advises SO BOTZ, Computer Science Honor Society and the Computer Science Club and serves as the District’s 6-12 Instructional Math Coach. Connell received the Regional Aspirations in Computing Educator Award in 2020.