Abril Vela

Passionate about technology and inspiring young women and girls to pursue opportunities in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), Abril founded Chicago Girls in Computing, an organization aimed at supporting high school girls in Chicago who are interested in technology.
Abril’s recognitions include: National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT), National Aspirations in Computing – State Awardee in 2012 and National Awardee in 2013, and a Microsoft Youthspark Star.
She is one of four Northside students, and one of ten high school students, to be named winner of the 50 For the Future Award by the Illinois Technology Foundation, which recognizes top high school and college computer science students in the state.