Rainy January, a 2012 high school graduate of Escambia County High School, has been recognized by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and Women in Engineering organization for her contributions to their international newsletter and for her selection of a science, technology, engineering, and math field of study as a college major.

The IEEE, WIE is the largest international professional organization dedicated to promoting women engineers and scientists globally, currently consisting of more than 21,000 members.

The IEEE, WIE administers programs to encourage interest in the STEM fields and to broaden interest in engineering as a career field.

The newsletter serves as a central source of information to IEEE, WIE members covering articles and materials of interest to the membership and noting the activities, events and accomplishments of the organization’s various professional and student affinity groups, as well as individual members.

In the June 2012 issue of the IEEE Women in Engineering Newsletter, the IEEE, WIE acknowledged appreciation for Rainy’s efforts over the last three years in editing various articles for the newsletter. The IEEE, WIE also extended greetings on Rainy’s recent graduation from high school and noted her selection of computer science as a major course of study when starting college in the fall at Alabama A&M University, which is the same college major as well as the same university that her mother attended and studied. The newsletter covering recognition of Rainy can be viewed at http://www.ieee.org/

Paulette January-German, Rainy’s mother, is the editor of the IEEE Women in Engineering Newsletter, a 1980 graduate of ECHS, and a 1985 graduate of Alabama A&M University with a bachelor’s degree in computer science. Paulette works as a software quality engineering manager for DRS Technologies, Inc., Fort Walton Beach, Florida, specializing in the design of air combat training systems, and was featured in the March 2009 issue of Black Enterprise Magazine as one of the top African Americans in technology.

Rainy will also be featured along with her mother in the December 2012 issue of IEEE Women in Engineering Magazine as a mother-daughter pair sharing a love for computers and journalism writing.

Rainy graduated in the Top 10 of the ECHS Class of 2012 ranking No. 7 with the following accomplishments: Marching Blue Devil Band member (six years); band student, (two years;) drum major; John Philip Sousa Award recipient; member of National Honor Society (three years); Rotary Club Academic All Stars (four years); Scholars Bowl (two years); Student Government (four years); senior class secretary; Future Business Leaders of America (three years, vice-president 2012); EsCoHi news editor (one year); ECHS yearbook staff (two years); community program member of Youth Leadership Atmore 2011, Atmore Chamber of Commerce Ambassador 2012, Girls State-Alternate 2011, as well as Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.- archonette 2012. Rainy also received the following scholarship awards: Operation Success Scholarship Award, Wayne Johnson Book Scholarship Award of Emmanuel’s Faith Center, Atmore Rotary Club Academic All Stars Award, ECHS Band Boosters Scholarship Service Award, and the Atmore Progressive Civic and Recreation Club Scholarship Award.