52 APRIL 2019 By Anthony Wallace Gianna Beck and Caroline Hyland, seniors at Xavier College Prep, are deeply interested in computer programming and have ambitious desires to put their knowledge toward impacting the world positively. They were both recently granted the 2019 Arizona Affiliate National Center for Women and Information Technology Award (NCWIT) for Aspirations in Computing (AiC). NCWIT is a nationwide organization that encourages and supports women’s participation in IT fields through access to networking events, internships, scholarships and jobs. Criteria for the award is based on aptitude and interest in IT and computing, leadership ability, academic history and plans after high school. Gianna is attracted to computing because she sees the world around her becoming increasingly driven by technology. “As I dug deeper into engineering as a whole, I became particularly attracted to computing and IT because I felt that the world is only becoming more digitized,” Gianna said. Both girls are very much focused on addressing problems of the world and believe that they can be significantly curbed through the power of technology. “Issues that can be addressed through STEM research are new practices in sustainability and eco-friendly alternatives to everyday objects, like cars and houses,” Gianna said. “Localized carbon footprint analysis, sustainable architecture and the creation of cheaper, easier to use biodegradable substances are all areas of interest to me.” Caroline is interested in biomedical informatics – an intersection of data science and medicine. “I believe that biomedical informatics could help aid in the development of new treatments for current diseases, including cancer, and it could also be helpful in the fight to prevent further illness through key initiatives such as trying to provide clean water to impoverished rural communities,” Caroline said. Like Caroline, Gianna is also interested in how technology can help bring less fortunate communities the resources they need to live happy and healthy lives. “I am particularly interested in the unequal access to resources, a problem that I believe technology will have a crucial role in solving,” Gianna said. “This could come in the form of getting supplies to remote places by drone, teaching communities tech fundamentals to help boost their economy, or through engineering tactics being applied agriculturally.” NCWIT is exclusively for women and while they have similar beliefs about the power of technology, Caroline and Gianna differ on the importance of gender in STEM fields. “I do not believe that it is inherently important that girls are involved in STEM,” Caroline said. “I think it is important that girls have the option to do whatever they want to do, and they have the support to make that dream a reality. It should not matter whether girls want to do art or history or STEM or literature.” “The new playground and battlefield will be in the digital sphere,” Gianna said. “We as young women will be joining in the formation of this new type of community. Thus, it is vital that girls have a part in shaping this technological aspect so that they can in turn shape the world.” Xavier students honored with IT award Xavier Prep seniors Gianna Beck and Caroline Hyland were honored for their shared interests in IT and computing. By Greg A. Bruns Arcadia resident Calvin Eng (15) is the most recent Eagle Scout to emerge from Arcadia’s BSA Scout Troop 6. A sophomore at Arcadia High School, Eng has been active in Scouting since first grade at Hopi Elementary, when he joined the Pack 6 Cub Scouts. One of the requirements for the rank of Eagle is a Scout must earn a total of 21 merit badges. At the time of receiving his Eagle, Eng had earned an impressive 49 merit badges. “Calvin is an extremely talented and accomplished young man – in Scouts, in school and in his music,” said Scoutmaster John Moody, who has led the troop since 2013. “At his Eagle Court of Honor, Calvin and fellow Troop 6 Eagle Scout Max Lunifeld started the ceremony by playing the National Anthem on violin and cello, respectively. It was absolutely beautiful,” said Moody. Going forward, Eng plans to continue scouting (he is eligible until he turns 18) and will eventually attend college, where he would like to study science or math. Eng is the 211th Eagle Scout to come out of Arcadia’s Troop 6 since it was founded in 1934. Nationwide, more than 2.5 million Boy Scouts have earned the Eagle rank since 1912. Less than 5% of Scouts achieve the rank of Eagle. Troop 6 meets at Prince of Peace Church regularly through the school year. 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Dr. Heng grew up in Seattle and graduated in 2001 from the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry in San Francisco, and he relocated to Phoenix after graduation. “After watching the dental profession change,” said Dr. Heng, “I felt it had to be done a different way: ‘A Non-insured Way.’ We use the latest technology and treatment, yet we keep our facility modest and control our business overhead, which allows us to offer lower fees to serve the people in the community.” For example, Dr Heng’s office charges $599 for a lifelike crown made with latest materials and technology. His crowns are guaranteed for life against breakage or defects. There is never a charge for a so-called crown build up. Other dental offices could customarily run from $800 to $1200 or more for a similar crown in this area. Also, other general procedures in Dr. Heng’s office run 30-60% less than those typically charged. 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