LINCROFT NJ —What began as a typical school day quickly turned unforgettable for Manalapan, New Jersey resident and High Technology High School senior Surya Gedipudi when a surprise visit revealed he had been awarded a $40,000 Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship.
An Amazon Future Engineer Scholar Ambassador from the New Jersey Institute of Technology arrived at the school on April 8 to personally deliver the news, catching Gedipudi completely off guard.
“I was so shocked I literally couldn’t get out of my seat at first,” Gedipudi said. “It felt surreal to realize that Amazon believed in me and wanted to support my goals.”
The Amazon Future Engineer program aims to expand access to computer science education for students from underserved and underrepresented backgrounds, helping to prepare the next generation of technology leaders. The highly competitive national scholarship provides $10,000 per year over four years to students pursuing degrees in computer science and related science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields, while also offering mentorship and career development opportunities. Gedipudi applied for the scholarship through a national application process that included essays and details about his academic and extracurricular experience. Approximately 400 students are selected each year.
Gedipudi said his interest in STEM began with a desire to better understand how data shapes everyday life.
“I’ve always noticed how much we rely on data without thinking about it much,” he said. “Everything from the apps on our devices to how cities are mapped out or how the weather is forecasted. I wanted to understand the logic behind those systems to find ways to make them work better for everyone.”
At High Technology High School, part of the Monmouth County Vocational School District, Gedipudi has focused on research and independent projects, exploring how data can reveal patterns and inform decision-making.
“I love being able to take a set of data, find a hidden pattern, and use it to contribute something new,” he said. “Working on side projects has also been a great way to take what I learn and build something from scratch.”
Following graduation, Gedipudi plans to study the intersection of data science and socioeconomics, with the goal of designing systems that help individuals and communities better navigate complex information.
“I want to use my STEM background to help solve real-world business and social challenges,” he said.
Gedipudi said the recognition is especially meaningful given his curiosity-driven approach to learning.
“I’ve always been the type of person to deep-dive into projects out of curiosity,” he said. “Seeing that a company like Amazon values that kind of thinking is a huge confidence boost.”
He also hopes his experience encourages other students to explore STEM through their own interests.
“Find an area you actually care about and use STEM as a tool to improve it,” he said. “When you’re creating something that has a real impact, the difficult parts don’t feel as heavy.”
About Monmouth County Vocational School District
MCVSD operates six full-time Career Academies including the Academy of Allied Health and Science, Academy of Law and Public Safety, Biotechnology High School, Communications High School, High Technology High School and Marine Academy of Science and Technology. Each welcomes students as freshmen and retains those students through their senior year of high school, for a focused learning experience that helps them take meaningful steps toward their college and career goals.
MCVSD also operates more than 30 shared-time programs, a Career Center for students with special needs and adult programs. Questions about the admissions process for the MCVSD Career Academies or any other career and technical education program offered by MCVSD should be directed to applications@ctemc.org.