{
Meet
Leanne A.
]
Meet Leanne — a 3 x KWK scholar
Kode With Klossy & I
Let’s rewind. I first heard about Kode with Klossy on a late-night talk show, where she was encouraging young girls to apply to her free, two-week summer code camps. This was in 2020, at the start of the pandemic, when I was searching for anything and everything to keep me grounded. I knew of Karlie Kloss in passing, and I enjoyed working with technology; I was simultaneously completing a Google IT Support certificate. So, I filled out the application immediately; the timestamp from the confirmation email is 113 AM. A couple of weeks later, I received the dreaded email, “We are unable to offer you a spot at our camps this summer.” For something I hadn’t been aware of a month earlier, not being accepted really hurt. But I moved forward. I completed my Google certificate and began a Systems Security certification at my local community college. And that was it, for about a year.
When the next summer rolled around, I had already received placement for a technology internship, which would begin on June 21. Still, for my past self, I applied anyway. I was accepted for a camp that would begin on June 4th and end on June 18th, right before the start of my prior commitment. I considered deferring my placement but decided to challenge myself and accept. In just two weeks, I gained confidence in my programming and problem-solving skills. I also created connections and a fully functional website, which gave me confidence for the internship. So, the following year, I applied again. In 2022, I graduated high school, after which my family traveled to Ghana, where most of my family lives. My first few days in camp were completed while I attended to various senior-year duties, with my last few days completed in a completely new continent with a different time zone, climate, and surroundings. Still, my group and I created an app centered around global education, taking into account my current situation. The following year was my last possible year, as I passed the age threshold during my camp. In that last year, I was challenged by the data science curriculum, which had never been my strong suit, but I also leaned into my love of user interface design and helped my group to create an aesthetically sound and pleasing data visualization. After “aging out” of the camps, my next involvement with Kode with Klossy was set to be as an instructor assistant. I gained early access to the application, was invited to interview, and gave it my all. In time, I received the dreaded email, again, “We will unfortunately not be moving you forward in the hiring process for this position.” Once again, it hurt. But, like before, I moved forward; I completed a summer class, signed up to mentor fellow students, and kept up with the community through Discord, Circle, and the occasional focus group.
Fast forward to now, in 2025, I am a proud Kode with Klossy alumni: 2021 Web Development, 2022 Mobile App Development, and 2023 Data Science, and am soon to be a college alumnus too, set to complete my Bachelor of Science in Information Technology this summer summa cum laude in just three years. And, though I haven’t (yet) been able to enjoy the scholar to IA to intern track, I continue to look ahead. I love keeping up with the community through the newsletters. I love connecting with fellow scholars, IAs, instructors, and even Speaker Series guests through LinkedIn and encouraging each other through our respective journeys. I love sharing my experience with the team and its partners through roundtables and surveys. And I especially love shouting out Kode with Klossy in every interview, application, and chance I get. Thank you to this program and its community for the resilience, experience, and confidence it’s given me! Ten years down, forever to go!
Leanne
