Women in Technology International (Tampa Bay Chapter) honored three St. Petersburg College technology students with scholarships at their Geek Glam 2016 event on Thursday, Oct. 6.

Melissa Gardner (left), Gina Baker (middle) and Terryn LeMaster (right) were selected out of 13 applicants by the Women in Technology International Board as the 2016 scholarship winners.  The students each received a $1,000 award for the Fall 2016 and Spring 2017 semesters.

Women in Technology annual fashion event

Each year Women in Technology International (WITI) holds a fashion runway event featuring WITI members as models.  This year Black Market/White House and Banana Republic outfitted the members in fine fashion.  Additionally, the event features a silent auction, a vendor fair of jewelry, art and luxurious bath items.  WITI members select a non-profit to receive the proceeds from the auction and vendor fair.

In summer 2015, Kim Rankin, President of the Women In Technology International Tampa Chapter and Senior Talent Scout at PSCU approached St. Petersburg College Technology Dean Sharon Setterlind to talk about setting up a scholarship fund for female students in the SPC’s College of Computer and Information Technology. Several students attended Geek Glam 2015 including Gina Baker and assisted as volunteers.  Last year’s event yielded over $5000.00  The WITI Board worked closely with the SPC Foundation Office to develop standards and guidelines for choosing the winners who would be honored at Geek Glam 2016.

Students given free membership to Women in Technology International

In addition to the scholarship, each student was gifted with a year membership to WITI, a beautifully inscribed glass paperweight with their name and achievement and a certificate. The students were presented to the audience and each had an opportunity to thank the members for the honor of the scholarship.  Melissa, Gina and Terryn expressed their gratitude and told their individual story of what the honor meant.  Their stories held a similar thread  – because of the scholarship  – they were able to take classes this year. They also talked about their dreams and their desire to be the new face of technology.  The applause was genuine and supportive as Kim reminded all to bid high and bid often on the auction items so that WITI can continue the good work of supporting women in technology.  Because of their strong commitment to women in technology, the board chose once again to forward proceeds from the 2016 event to SPC women in information technology programs.

Melissa, Gina and Terryn will be honored again at the Women in Technology Event on SPC’s St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus on Thursday, Oct. 27. Get details and reserve your spot for this year’s Women in Technology event.