Rebecca's Story

The first time I heard about Kode with Klossy was in early 2023. I was still in high school, just about to graduate, and like many students at that stage, I was asking myself big questions—about my interests, my future, and how I wanted to spend the summer before college. I decided I wanted that time to be meaningful, filled with things I genuinely loved. When I came across Kode with Klossy application, something about it clicked. The emphasis on community, creativity, and real-world impact made it stand ou and I remember thinking that I wanted to be a part of that space that mixed community aspects with things I was interested in learning about.

From the moment I stepped into camp, I felt welcomed and encouraged to learn, not just by the instructors, but by the other scholars too. I attended an in-person camp in Miami, which allowed me to explore parts of the city I hadn’t seen before, all while connecting with people from all over: Orlando, Spain, Missouri, New York. We came from different places, but we were united by a shared curiosity and joy in working on group projects, or simply getting to know each other through lunch.
Even though I had some exposure to programming from robotics competitions prior to Kode with Klossy, at camps I felt different. The teaching style and the energy the teaching team had encouraged questions and creativity. It made computer science feel less scary to me and a field where I could really belong. That summer, I realized it wasn’t the mechanical parts of robotics that drew me in, it was the problem-solving and design aspects of coding that I enjoyed to ensure tech innovation was accessible to all. I left camp knowing that I wanted to pursue software engineering and that I wanted to stay connected to the KWK community.

Fast forward to college, and I knew I had to come back. Now as an IA I was excited not just to teach, but to be part of the magic that made camp feel so special. One of the things I’ve learned about myself over the years is that I love details. Whether it’s designing intentional brain breaks that foster teamwork or decorating the classroom to feel inviting, I wanted every part of the environment to show scholars that they mattered. Even in how I led the Culture of Tech sessions, I focused on being real. I talked about the joy and frustration, the barriers and breakthroughs, and why representation in tech is so deeply important to me.

That summer reaffirmed something I already believed: that a strong community can change someone’s path. It did for me. And I knew I wasn’t done with Kode with Klossy yet.

So I applied, twice, to be a Kode with Klossy intern. Being part of the KWK team has been such a privilege. While my current work isn’t as hands-on with scholars, I get to support the people who make all the behind-the-scenes magic happen. I’ve learned so much from them, not just about logistics and programming, but about how to lead with joy, intention, and care. The energy on the team is contagious: from Ella’s story about her own Kode with Klossy journey, to Kariann’s smile when I ask her about events she has been a part of, I learned that the team truly loves what they do.

It’s easy to think the little things don’t matter—the spreadsheet columns, the shipping deadlines, the color palettes—but at Kode with Klossy, I’ve learned that everything matters. Every detail is a piece of a larger story that helps scholars feel seen, supported, and inspired. I wake up every day grateful that I get to contribute to this mission. Because for me, this isn’t just work, it’s a reflection of what I value: accessibility, creativity, community, and equity in tech. Kode with Klossy didn’t just teach me how to code, it showed me the kind of leader I want to and aspire to be.