Flathead High senior recognized for tech work

Flathead High School senior Diane Lipka was among 20 female students in Montana nationally recognized for their accomplishments and aspirations in technology and computing.

Lipka received honorable mention in the National Center for Women and Information Technology Award for Aspirations in Computing. The high school award was established to “promote the computing aspirations of young women, introduce them to leadership opportunities in the field and generate visibility for women’s participation in technology fields,” according to a press release from Carroll College, which oversaw the contest in Montana with national judges selecting the winners.

The award also recognizes students’ leadership ability, academic history and plans for post-secondary education.

Lipka said she had been interested in computer science since third grade, and looked up to her older sister who was also interested in technology.

“I was always interested in how they worked,” Lipka said about computers.

She has taken as many computer science classes as she could and is currently enrolled in a programming class at Flathead Valley Community College.

“I particularly enjoy the coding and how to do websites and games,” Lipka said, who is in the midst of programming an adventure game. “I’m in the beginning stages. I’m hoping I can finish that pretty soon.”

Her favorite computer-programming language is Java and Apache NetBeans, an “integrated development environment.”

After Lipka graduates from high school she plans to work and save up money to attend college in pursuit of a career in computer science.

She encourages students who think they might be interested in computer science to take an introductory course.

“If they wonder how things are made — websites, links, pictures — how everything operates, and they have an interest in how it works I would definitely recommend starting with an introduction to computer science.”

For more information visit www.ncwit.org.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.