February 21, 2002

Technology Student Achievement Awards

Junior and Senior High Schools in the Boise and Meridian School Districts are being encouraged to participate in a pilot project with the Idaho Department of Administration and Access Idaho, the state’s official website, to recognize outstanding technology students.

Nominations for the first annual Technology Student Achievement Awards Program will be accepted through March 15 from participating schools and will include three categories: Website Design, Networking/Information Architecture Support, and Miscellaneous Projects (i.e. video production, CAD design, Flash etc.). Only one nomination per category will be accepted from each student.

Award winners will be announced in a press release and letters from Access Idaho the first part of April and the students will receive their awards at a special ceremony to be held in the Capitol Rotunda. Additionally, the winners and a description of their projects will be featured on the State’s home page.

Entries will be judged on their educational value, design elements, ease of navigation and artistic appeal. Prizes available to students will include a Grand Prize of a $50 gift certificate with three first place winners in each category receiving a $25 gift certificate.

“This competition is just one effort to help students develop the building blocks they will need in order to join Idaho's high-tech workforce of tomorrow,” said Pam Ahrens, Director of the Department of Administration and Chairman of the Information Technology Resource Management Council that are promoting the award program.

Access Idaho (www.accessidaho.org) is the State's official Internet "portal" or "electronic front door" providing Idaho citizens easier and faster online access to government information and services. Access Idaho staff will judge entries and entry forms are available from Jeff Walker: email jeff@accessidaho.org or call 332-0102 for details.