On Thursday, November 14, Chattahoochee High School Student Sri Vaishnavi Ghantasala was named Girl of the Year by the Women in Technology (WIT) organization, a group dedicated to empowering girls and women to excel in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) careers from the classroom to the boardroom. About 1,000 WIT members gathered for their annual awards banquet in the Georgia Aquarium Ballroom to name their Women of the Year in a number of categories including non-profit organizations, for-profit businesses (small, medium, and large), volunteer of the year, and girl of the year.
Ghantasala was one of three finalists nominated for the honor - all of whom were in attendance for the event along with their families. As the Girl of the Year winner, Sri received a $7,500 scholarship from State Farm, a Dell laptop computer, an iPhone from ATT, and more.
The Girl of the Year award was created in 2012 as a part of WIT's commitment to support the entire lifecycle of a woman's career in STEAM. Its purpose is to recognize a girl who has demonstrated a strong interest in STEAM, who has been fully engaged in one or more WIT GIRLS programs during the year, who is respectful and encouraging to others, who is credited with exemplary performance in education and school citizenship, and who has created a lasting and positive impression on a WIT GIRLS sponsor host, the WIT Office, and WIT Volunteers.
Fulton County Schools' Chief Technology Officer Serena Sacks was in attendance at the event. Sacks herself was named WIT Woman of the Year (Non-profit) and then sat on the Board of Directors.
"We are so proud of Ms. Ghantasala's accomplishments," said Sacks. "She is not only representing herself and her proud family here tonight but she is representing all the talented and hard working students in our school system who have set their sights on a career in STEAM. She is an outstanding role model and is clearly showing the way to a bright and promising future for young women everywhere."
ABOUT WIT
Women In Technology (WIT) empowers girls and women to excel in science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math (STEAM) from the classroom to the boardroom. This is done by providing female students in middle school, high school, and college with education, exposure, and experience. By sharing the stories of successful professionals across the STEAM fields, WIT encourages all generations of girls and women to write their future.
A team of more than 300 volunteers deliver professional development and networking opportunities to more than 3,000 professionals and programs at no charge to more than 1,500 students.
WIT is committed to making Georgia the state with the highest percentage of women in the STEAM workforce by providing opportunities that champion women throughout their education and career.
