Female high school students with computer savvy in Butler County are just a click away from entering an awards competition.

They could follow in the footsteps of Casey Fischer of Knoch High School and Sarah Pfabe of Butler High School, who were recognized by the National Center for Women & Information Technology this year.

The NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing recognizes young high school women for their computing-related achievements and interests and generates visibility for women's participation in computing-related pursuits.

Colleen Smith, outreach coordinator for Penn State's Electro-Optics Center and NCWIT coordinator, said, “Last year was the first year that we had the Western and Central PA/WV Affiliate Award, and we are proud to have a National winner, 12 affiliate winners and eight affiliate runners-up in our midst.

“We're looking forward to another excellent round of applicants, but we need help to get the word out. The application window will be open from Sept. 15 to Oct. 31 at www.aspirationsaward.org,” she said.

“With one application, high school girls will be considered for the award on both the national and the affiliate levels,” Smith said.

Award winners will be announced April 26.

Casey is a 2013 Western & Central Pennsylvania/West Virginia Affiliate Award winner, while Sarah was chosen runner-up.

Casey was introduced to programming at an early age, which sparked her initial interest in computer science.

In high school, she excelled in her Visual Basic and Java programming classes, as well as Web Design, Photoshop and Flash Animation.

Casey credits her high school computer science teacher and her uncle as the two major influences who inspired and encouraged her to pursue her interests in the technology field.

She is attending Carnegie Mellon's School of Computer Science.

Pfabe won the Butler County Vo-Tech Outstanding Computer Networking and Telecommunications Student Award in her senior year, as well as placing eighth in the state in a Future Business Leaders of America computer problem-solving competition.

“I've really always been interested in computing. My mom was in the IT field,” said Pfabe.

She is attending Butler County Community College majoring in computer science. Pfabe said she plans to transfer to Robert Morris University in two years.

Affiliate Award winners receive an engraved award for their home and school, and a range of prizes from local sponsors.

Knoch High School teacher Mike Losk won the Educator of the Year Award.

“I found out about the NCWIT program a few years ago and had suggested it to some of my senior programming female students at that time,” said Losk.

“At that time, it was a national scholarship opportunity that they could pursue. Last year, it also became a regional opportunity in which our students could also participate,” he said.

“As part of the group of students who submitted for the award last year, they had to write a little about their teacher who notified them of the NCWIT program,” he said. “I believe I was nominated by my students, who then each had a follow-up questionnaire about my nomination.”

Part of his award, Losk said, was the opportunity to pursue up to $1,000 worth of professional development that would be reimbursed through NCWIT.

Losk has been a business and technology teacher for the past 11 years. He has taught at Knoch High for the past nine years.

Before deciding to teach, he spent four years in industry as a corporate communications manager for a software company.

He is responsible for revamping the computer business electives at Knoch. Losk has introduced and instructed College in High School courses in computer programming.

Within the past two years, he has mentored Knoch's FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) after-school program for the past two years. He also serves as a member of the district's Technology Committee.

Losk earned his bachelor's degree from University of Pittsburgh in secondary education, and a master's degree in curriculum and instruction from Penn State.

The National Center for Women & Information Technology is seeking to recognize young women in high school for their computing-related achievements and interests.All applicants will be considered for both their affiliate and the national awards with one application.More detailed information is online at www.ncwit.org/award.Applications can be submitted now through Oct. 31.Girls can preview the application before they start at www.ncwit.org/sites/default/files/legacy/pdf/PreparingYourApplication.pdf.The Aspirations in Computing Award can also bring recognition to applicants' schools. Educators who endorse their students are eligible for the National Center for Women & Information Technology Award.You can check out details of the Educator Awards at www.ncwit.org/award/award.educator.php.Western and Central PA/WV Affiliate Award Criteria:• Applicants must be high school level girls (grades 9-12).• Applicants must reside in Western or Central Pa. or W.Va.• Applicants should have a demonstrated, outstanding aptitude and interest in IT/computing.• Applicants should have demonstrated leadership ability.• Applicants should have good academic history, typically a GPA of 3.0 or better.• Applicants should have post-secondary education plans.• Students from underrepresented groups and current juniors/seniors are strongly encouraged to apply.For tax purposes, each applicant must have a valid social security number or Tax ID number.Past applicants including semifinalists are encouraged to apply; however, previous award-winners are not eligible to reapply or receive any awards.