Meet Anne-Sophie Frédérick, a Code/Art alumna and 2023 high school graduate headed to Williams College where she’ll be studying Computer Science and Linguistics.  Anne-Sophie began her journey with Code/Art during her junior year of high school where she participated in our coding competition and Future Tech LeadHERs Club. We had the chance to meet up with her and see what she’s going to do now that she’s headed off to college. Read the interview below for insights into her experience with Code/Art programs and how she plans to pursue a career in tech.

When did you get started with Code/Art and how old were you then? 

I started with Code/Art in 11th grade where my teacher, Lisa Hauser, introduced me to Code/Art’s creative coding competitions. Coding my self-portrait for the CodeYourSelf™ competition was my first time coding, and I was a finalist for the Southeastern region. Also, My teammates and I won the 2022 ChangeMaker competition that same year where we developed a website addressing the importance of financial literacy.

What were some takeaways that you got from these experiences with Code/Art? 

Participating in the Future Tech LeadHERS club made me realize that computer science was fun and doable as long as one is dedicated and focused on their learning. This club as well as all of Code/Art’s activities/events that I have been able to attend encourage me to learn and be even more curious about computer science and technology in general.

Let’s talk about some future plans. What university are you going to and what are you planning to study? 

This fall, I will be attending Williams College where I’ll be studying Computer Science and Linguistics.

Do you think that Code/Art played a role in your decision to go into tech? 

Although I had already decided to study computer science some months before I started with Code/Art, I was unacquainted with the field and the creative possibilities of computer programing. They solidified my interest in the field by allowing me to get to know more women in the field.

To wrap up our interview, considering your experience, would you—when talking to a younger girl—recommend that they take part in programs like Code/Art and if so, why? 

Yes, I would definitely recommend! During my short time with the program, I have been given countless opportunities to meet people who inspire and whom I can look up to. They provided a space for me to be curious and feel empowered.  I will be forever grateful to have been part of such an amazing community!

Thank you for sharing your story with us!

~end of interview~