Sarita Pennoh, First Year

How I got interested in Tech: I was first introduced into computer science and coding around 5th grade, with teachers often showing us Hour of Code. I didn’t actively pursue technology until 7th and 8th grade, with taking a little computer science class in middle school and applying for AoIT that same year. Now, thanks to AoIT, I’m certified in Python.

Why Tech? I’ve always found computers and what goes on behind them interesting. I had been in a Girls Who Code in 7th grade, and had originally enjoyed it, though I thought that what we were doing was too simple. I wanted to join Girls Who Code here because I thought the program would give me more experience with technology than what I had already knew, and it did.

Favorite Woman in Tech: Ada Lovelace

Favorite Part of GWC: Food I had gotten to meet/get to know others with a common interest as me, which has made me considerably more social. The project I’m working on is also the first I’ve done where I can have creative input and collaborate with other creative minds.

Skylar Bruce, Sophomore

How I got interested in Tech: I was first introduced into programming in fifth grade, when we did an hour of code in our computer labs. It wasn’t anything like actual coding, it was more of a game where you drag and dropped certain commands to make an angry bird move through a maze.

Why Tech? It wasn’t until coming to Cox Mill to join the graphic design and webpage design classes. As required by every AoIT freshman I was placed in an introduction to python programming class for one semester. In that class I found that I really enjoyed the Idea of “bending computers to my will”. So instead of going into graphic design like I had planned I switched to the next programming classes.

Favorite Woman in Tech: Margaret Hamilton! she wrote the apollo space mission code all. by. hand. she’s a crazy big inspiration for me as a women in tech and a space nerd.

Favorite Part of GWC: I was very optimistic about women in IT for a while because I felt that we as a society had made a lot of progress. However it wasn’t until I had to visit my programming teacher during third period when he was teaching his networking class. It was a small class completely made up of males. Feeling very much like a fish out of water I was very grateful for girl who code. In GWC I am able to expand my programming skills with my peers

Kirsten Babsa-ay, Sophomore

How I got interested in Tech: I was introduced to programming and computer science in 7th grade. We were first introduced to robotics and putting pieces together, and we planned to program the robot to move in a certain way! Unfortunately, we ran out of time and I was unable to program. That bugs me to this day. Since then, I’ve been trying to attempt to program! I’ve made a small game over the summer, but I’ve always thought there was more to learn. I want to push my limits so I can be even greater!

Why Tech? I’m still exploring my options! Technology is a growing industry today (which is a prime target for a job), and it’ll be even larger in the future! It’s a fascinating topic of study that I might get a major in...

Favorite Woman in Tech: Lily Zhang! Without her guidance, this club wouldn’t be as great as it is today.

Favorite Part of GWC: Girls Who Code is a very big opportunity to use my skills as a programmer and a team-worker. It is fun to program and work with other girls who are interested in tech like me!

Pooja Yadav, First Year

How I got interested in Tech: I was first introduced to programming and computer science in 8th grade, I didn’t actually start coding until my freshman year in high school. I am currently in AOIT, and I will continue to be so throughout high school, AOIT gave me more exposure to the computer science field and because of them I am Python certified. During my free time I like to learn different programming languages like JAVA, SQL to broaden my knowledge in the computer science field.

Why Tech? I want to pursue my programming experience to support real life world problems specially around bioinformatics and the field of healthcare and medicine.

Favorite Woman in Tech: My favorite woman in programming is Ida Rhodes

Favorite Part of GWC: I have always been passionate about coding and I thought Girls who could would help me further pursue my interest in the computer science field and Artificial Intelligence.

Kamia Bryan, Junior

How I got interested in Tech: I have always been interested in technology. I never took any computer related classes until I came to Cox Mill. I am in the AoIT program, so all of my classes are technology related. I took classes such as Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, Excel, Publisher, and Access. I was first introduced to programming my sophomore year. The idea of programming games, apps, or websites interested me.

Why Tech? I think technology as a whole is very interesting. It is an always growing field that never fails to impress. The first program to run on a computer was in 1948 and technology has only improved since then. Technology will only progress and become more efficient as time goes on.

Favorite Woman in Tech: My favorite woman in tech is Katherine Johnson because her orbital mechanical calculations helped the first U.S manned space flights. I have always been interested in space and life beyond earth. As a kid, it was really cool to see a black woman who had such a big impact on space travel.

Favorite Part of GWC: Girls who code gave me the opportunity to apply my programming skills and further my knowledge about coding.

Likhita Konakalla, Sophomore

How I got interested in Tech: I was always familiar with computer science and software engineering because my dad is a software engineer. But the first time I heard about computer programming was in 8th grade from my dad's friend, he described programming as hard and challenging. This motivated me to take a shot at programming. When I came to high school, my counselor gave me the opportunity to do Python Programming. At the same time, my friend informed me about girls who code, and that is how I became a part of girls who code.

Why Tech? I have an interest in technology because I feel coding is a challenge and I love challenges, in addition, I also love the idea of creating websites and programs with programming.

Favorite Woman in Tech: My favorite woman in tech is Ada Lovelace because she is the first coder in the world. Ironically, she is a girl.

Favorite Part of GWC: Girls who code taught me that coding has many applications, also it taught me to use my knowledge of coding to create programs and projects.

Serena Brantley, Junior

How I got interested in Tech: I was first introduced to technology as a career during a Vex Robotics class in middle school and learned a simplified version of building and programming the robots. This class piqued my interest in technology and inspired me to join my high school’s AoIT program. While I chose the multimedia track over the programming track, I became curious about the programming side and decided to try join Girls Who Code and take the Computer Science Principles class.

Why Tech? As I learned more about the potential, growth, and new applications for computer science, I became more and more excited about it as a possible major and career. In the future, I plan to use more opportunities to learn about computer science and programming while also honoring what I have learned through multimedia.

Favorite Woman in Tech: I'd say my favorite woman in tech is Katherine Johnson.

Favorite Part of GWC: With my interest sparked in technology from middle school, I have also grown a strong appreciation and awareness to the immense effect of technology in our lives and how it is still a rapidly growing field. Learning how many applications there were to technology sparked my interest in it and I thought that Girls Who Code would be the perfect place to start learning more about technology without the expectation of immediately being an expert. Being in this club not only expanded my curiosity, but also created a community of girls with a passion for technology and a talent that I can look up to and strive for. The club has encouraged me to take AP Computer Science next year to learn even more about programming and discover if it is right for me.

Lauren Houston, Sophomore

How I got interested in Tech: My whole life, I’ve always been drawn to technology. Once I was in high school, I joined the AoIT (Academy of Information Technology) program. I was placed into an introduction to Python class and found that I deeply enjoyed it! This year, I followed the Python programming path and continued the class. By the end of the school year, I will be certified in Python! I was also accepted into the Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program, so I will be working with others who are interested in coding over Summer. Next year I plan to continue learning Python and further advance my knowledge in the computer science field.

Why Tech? Coding has always been something that I’ve been passionate about. Girls Who Code has given me the chance to learn more about my interests and improve my programing.

Favorite Woman in Tech: My favorite woman in tech is Margaret Hamilton! She is my favorite because she helped ensure the success of the Apollo 11, moon landing, mission. Hamilton led a team that developed the fundamental building blocks of software engineering during the mission.

Favorite Part of GWC: Through Girls Who Code, I've had the opportunity to meet several amazing people who have similar interests and career preferences. I have also had the ability to test my abilities with coding in Python. With the freedom we are given, I was able to work at my own pace and in my own writing style of code. I am excited to present and share the program my group and I have been working hard on in these upcoming weeks.

Sreejani Jonnalagadda, First Year

How I got interested in Tech: I have always been interested in technology and computer science from a young age and knew that I wanted to learn more about this interesting field. My inspiration to possibly become a software engineer as a career came from my family of programmers who opened my eyes to the interesting world of technology. I am currently learning to code through online websites including Girls Who Code and I will hopefully earn my certification in Python by the end of the summer. Although I am not sure of the profession I want to pursue in the future, I definitely know that it will involve some sort of technological activity.

Why Tech? I have always been interested and fascinated by technology so I joined Girls Who Code to potentially better my coding skills.

Favorite Woman in Tech: My favorite woman in technology would probably be Marissa Mayer.

Favorite Part of GWC: My coding skills have advanced and I have been able to meet many other interesting people with similar career paths and interests as me through this program.

Amina Mahamed, Junior

How I got interested in Tech: The first time I was introduced to technology as a child (perks of being gen z) so when I got to middle school we all chose paths. The path I chose was architecture so I ended up taking the class and learning how to do all of these amazing things like using a 3D printer and landscaping.

Lily Zhang, Bank of America

How I got interested in Tech: I never thought I'd pursue CS as a major. It wasn't until I took a required CS course during my sophomore year that I realized I enjoyed coding. I loved writing code and logic and being able to instantly output results. The rest is history!

Why Tech? I wanted to be a doctor for the longest time because I thought it was the only way to help people. Once I was exposed to tech, I realized coding was a faster way to help people - with lines of code and logic, you can create something impactful within a small amount of time.

Favorite Woman in Tech: Grace Hopper - she is incredibly impressive and legendary for coining the term 'bug'.

Favorite Part of GWC: Sharing my interest in tech and learning from the girls! Together, we're re-defining the image of what a programmer looks like. I love the energy and ideas when I am in the classroom.