Today we’d like to introduce you to Charlie Liu.
Charlie, before we jump into specific questions about your organization, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I attended my first CodeDay (SRND’s headline event, similar to a hackathon, where students work together to create an app or game in 24 hours) when I was a freshman in high school. It was an amazing experience – not only did I make countless new friends, but I also learned how to build something awesome that served a purpose. I loved the event so much that I immediately signed up to be notified when registration would open for the next one, and when I was offered the chance to join the volunteer team after my second CodeDay, I eagerly accepted. Since then, I have never missed a CodeDay or nearby SRND event, and I now serve as the Atlanta Regional Manager.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
One of the many aspects of SRND that I love is that we take the unexpected and turn it into something wonderful. For example, since our in-person events have been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, we have moved completely online and recently hosted our first-ever Virtual CodeDay, which was a great experience and also enabled anyone from around the world to join us. No journey is completely smooth, but I know for certain that any bumps that we may encounter in the future will be met with the signature optimism and creativity that is fostered at SRND.
We’d love to hear more about SRND.
SRND is a nonprofit dedicated to increasing diverse computer science enrollment. Few students are interested in enrolling in coding classes, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds. Our creative programs – CodeDay, CS Fairs, and more – get students excited about coding and drive enrollment. In other words, we seek to inspire the next generation of coders from all backgrounds, and I am proud to be part of an organization that is so dedicated towards that mission. Our programs are unique thanks to our amazing volunteers, staff, and mentors who embody the SRND principle of “friendly and welcoming,” meaning that we put community first. All students who attend CodeDay or any other of our events are able to not only discover a new passion for programming but also discover long-lasting friendships with fellow peers.
What were you like growing up?
I am currently a high school senior who is about to graduate, so I guess I am still growing up! I have always approached life with a sense of optimism and determination, confident that there is light at the end of the tunnel whenever things may be difficult. In terms of my interests, I have been coding since I was in 5th grade, but I have also recently enjoyed exploring politics and how it intersects with technology. Although I am not certain about what I may pursue in the future, I am definitely looking forward to whatever is ahead of me.
Contact Info:
- Website: codeday.org
- Email: codeday@srnd.org
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/codeday_org
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/CodeDay
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