Vanessa Barlow, a junior at McLean High School, recently received the 2016 National NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing.

The award, sponsored by the National Center for Women & Information Technology recognizes young high school women for their computing-related achievements, proven leadership ability, academic performance and interests as part of an effort to encourage more young women to choose careers in technology.

Vanessa, one of 35 students who won the award out of 3,100 applicants, stated in a press release about the award that she appreciates all of the opportunities provided to her from Girls Who Code, Girls in Technology, as well as her computer science and academy teachers. For more information, visit ncwit.org.