Photo: Karlie Kloss/Instagram
As for what they’ll accomplish next, Kloss says she’s “so excited.”
Representation is a major hallmark of Kode with Klossy and breaking down barriers to access is something Kloss is especially passionate about.
“A lot of our scholars often might be one of the few young women in the classroom if they’ve even had the opportunity at all at their school to take a class. And that can be really discouraging.” she say. “I really try and help these young women realize that they have infinite potential and that they truly not only deserve to be in this space and be leaders in this industry, but we’re relying on them to be the thought leaders of tomorrow.”
Two such students who felt that there might not be a space for them in the coding world are high school junior Etasha Donthi and senior Maya Dummett, both from New Jersey.
Before joining Kloss' camps, they didn’t see themselves represented in the tech space. Now they’re both Swift Student Challenge winners.
“Quite frankly, I never saw myself as someone who could pursue a STEM career simply based on not seeing people who looked like me in the media,” Donthi tells PEOPLE. “Kode With Klossy really did open my eyes up to that opportunity of being a woman in STEM. I truly met so many like-minded, amazing girls who are honestly the future, and having this inclusive environment really transformed my own perception of my own abilities and my confidence.”
Dummett echoed similar sentiments, saying she “struggled” to see herself reflected in the field of STEM before joining Kode with Klossy. But both have applied what they have learned in the computer science field towards social justice.
Dummett has worked on creating apps to improve social welfare services and created a chatbot called “M” who encourages others to pursue STEM. Meanwhile Donthi has focused on creating a space where environmental activists can engage with other social justice activists, as well as her own organization that supports underprivileged kids in STEM.
Maya Dummett and Etasha Donthi.Apple
Donthi says hearing that Kloss is proud of her accomplishments “means the world.”
“Knowing that Karlie has our backs and is supporting us all the way through the ups and the downs, it makes me want to do the same for others, be that big sister for others,” says Donthi. “I startedShe the Change, a podcast dedicated to highlighting women and non-binary leaders who are paving the way for change and especially breaking the gender gap. Not only to encourage my listeners to follow in their lead and also take inspiration from them, but also to gain their own confidence, the confidence that I found from Karlie through being a part of Kode with Klossy.”
For Dummett, she says joining the coding camps was the first time she “felt like someone really believed” in her when it came to computer science. “She’s given me the confidence in my own skill.”
Now, Dummett is a Kode with Klossy campus workshop facilitator. “There’s just something so special about seeing [students'] faces light up when learning these concepts, and I can all bring it back to Karlie Kloss and her believing in me for the first time.”
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For those who are inspired to get into coding, both students recommend starting withApple’s Swifts Playground app. Other programs Apple has at-the-ready for beginning coders include the PDF, theInclusive App Design activityand the PDF, theQuick Start to Code guidedesigned for parents, caregivers, guardians or educators to navigate puzzles in the Swift Playgrounds app.
And for teachers, Kode with Klossy opened itsSummer 2022 instructor applicationsto coincide with Computer Science Education Week.
For all those ready to roll up their sleeves and start to code, Kloss says she always gives student this piece of advice: “You have infinite potential, and I want you to realize that.”
source: people.com
