Shachi Benara Wins a 2021 NCWIT Award
for Aspirations in Computing
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BY LORI DRAZ
Shachi Benara, a senior at Middletown High School South, was recently
named a recipient of the Honorable Mention for the 2021 National
Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) award for aspirations
in computing.
The NCWIT selected Benara’s application from more than 4,200 applications
from all 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin
Islands, Guam overseas military bases and Canada. Award recipients are
selected based on their aptitude and aspirations in technology and computing,
as demonstrated by their computing experience, computing-related
activities, leadership experience, tenacity in the face of barriers to access,
and plans for post-secondary education.
The National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) is
-
and development.
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In addition, Benara won
-
dent Association for the Promotion
Design contest across all of
New Jersey. She said she feels
honored to represent her school
-
nals.
She has recently been chosen
by her school's computer
science department to receive
the Technologist Student Award,
given to high-achieving students
in Technology by William
Skinner at Bloomberg.com.
Benara will be pursuing a
career in computer science, majoring
in the areas of user experience and design. She is an intern and
staff member at Code Ninja, where she teaches younger kids while enhancing
her skills in multiple languages such as Java, Scratch, Python,
HTML/CSS, Visual Basic and JavaScript. Technology has played a key
role in Benara’s life. Born deaf, a cochlear implant now helps her hear.
It fascinates her that such a small device can change lives, and this led
to her interest in computer science.
She started a free coding club in the Middletown library for
their passion for technology while providing a fun outlet.
She is president of the Tech Tutor club at school and also a member
of Girls Who Code. When she is not coding, Benara spends time
exploring and expressing human emotion through her paintings and
sketches, one of which was recently displayed in Brookdale Community
College.
Benara just committed to the University of Massachusetts Amherst
College of Information and Computer Sciences.
Benara received an award of commendation from the Middletown Board of Education for
/TheJournalNJ.com
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/Bloomberg.com