CodeHS is excited to announce the 2025 CodeHS Scholars! These students were selected from a wide pool of impressive applicants evaluated on short essays, coding programs, and letters of recommendation from teachers.
The CodeHS Scholars will receive a $1,000 grant to support their post-secondary studies this fall. They will also have the opportunity to network with one another and members of the CodeHS team throughout their freshman year.
Read more below to learn about the scholars and their future plans:
Corbin Ellis —Texas A&M University— Computer Science
Alma Mater: Wylie High School, Wylie Independent School District, Texas
Why do you want to pursue this major?
I am pursuing computer science because it allows me to better the world of technology. It is also super satisfying to solve problems or create software from nothing.
What are you most looking forward to about college?
I am most looking forward to ICPC. ICPC is a competitive programming contest held every year, and I hope to make the team and be able to compete. I have loved doing competitive programming throughout high school and want to continue to discover the beauty of it.
Share a fun fact about yourself:
I enjoy watching arm wrestling and table tennis.
Hari Patel — Drexel University — Computer Science & Business Administration
Alma Mater: Souderton Area High School, Souderton Area School District, Pennsylvania
Why do you want to pursue these majors?
I’m taking on a double major in Computer Science and Business Administration because I want to build innovative technologies that don’t just work, but make a real impact. Coding has always interested me, but I’ve learned that even the best solutions need strong strategy, leadership, and vision to reach the people. Whether it’s creating adaptive learning tools for students or helping small businesses thrive with smarter digital platforms, I hope to use my skills to drive practical, community-focused change that scales.
What are you most looking forward to about college?
I’m most looking forward to the chance to grow through collaboration, working with people from different backgrounds, joining student-led tech and business clubs, and building real projects that challenge me to think bigger. I’m excited to be part of a community where innovation and ambition are the norm, where I can learn from others, take risks, and turn ideas into something meaningful.
Share a fun fact about yourself:
A fun and interesting fact is that I lived in a Hindu temple for 14 years.
Jaydan Castillo — Austin Community College— Computer Information Technology: Local Area Network Systems-Cyber Security Specialization
Alma Mater: Travis ECHS, Austin ISD, Texas
Why do you want to pursue this major?
I am pursuing this major to help me better understand the fundamentals of computers and what I can create with them to help others.
What are you most looking forward to about college?
I look forward to gaining both knowledge and experience in the computer science field to further pursue my skill-sets and future career.
Share a fun fact about yourself:
I had my first computer when I was 11 years old.
Kaelyn Yang — University of California, Los Angeles— Computer Science
Alma Mater: Azusa High School, Azusa Unified School District, California
Why do you want to pursue this major?
My greatest passion, motivator, and skill is computer science. In computer science, there is more than one solution. I am constantly trying to find different methods to optimize programs and enhance lives. Growing up surrounded by technology and gaming fueled my interest in the field, and now, I aspire to share that same excitement with the community and future generations of kids. I want to equalize opportunities and shape the ever-changing future to improve everyone's lives.
What are you most looking forward to about college?
I look forward to building connections and meeting new people. Additionally, I want to join intramural sports and computer science clubs to meet other people who are also passionate. I'm really excited to learn new things and explore the opportunities that come with college.
Share a fun fact about yourself:
I always pick up new hobbies! For example, some of my hobbies are crocheting, making origami, photography, handmade cards, dreamcatchers, 3D wood puzzles, and diamond paintings.
Kristin Kim — University of Colorado Boulder — Computer Science
Alma Mater: Fruita Monument High School, Mesa County (D51), Colorado
Why do you want to pursue this major?
I'm pursuing computer science because it's both one of my passions and something that will remain important in my life, no matter what. I want to create and help improve on something meaningful to me, and hopefully to others as well.
What are you most looking forward to about college?
I'm most excited to meet many different people and therefore learn about many different experiences and undergo new changes myself!
Share a fun fact about yourself:
I love everything about music boxes - From the sound to the mechanism, to the shell's movements and design itself. It's all very pretty to me!
Logan Koller — Arkansas Tech University — Computer Science
Alma Mater: Lakeside High School, Lakeside School District, Arkansas
Why do you want to pursue this major?
I am pursuing computer science because it is something that I have always enjoyed doing and it's something that I’ve always had a passion for. I hope to make a positive impact by utilizing computer science to allow ease of access to tools that may not be publicly available to all.
What are you most looking forward to about college?
I am looking forward to learning new things I have yet to know about. College is an incredible opportunity to learn even more about different areas of study. In this case, I am excited to learn more about various topics in the computer science field.
Share a fun fact about yourself:
I have a cat named Tish and she helps me through everything.
Rida Malik —Northeastern University — Computer Science and Mathematics
Alma Mater: Lindenhurst Senior High School, Lindenhurst Union Free School District, New York
Why do you want to pursue these majors?
To use technology for the greater good.
What are you most looking forward to about college?
Experiencing the freedom and ability to create and innovate with what I'm provided with. I'm really excited for the different courses I will take alongside my major. I feel that I will strive in the well-rounded community Northeastern has.
Share a fun fact about yourself:
I have a baking business and I do nails as a side hustle!
Robert Shuman — University of North Georgia — Computer Science
Alma Mater: Loganville High School, Walton County School District, Georgia
Why do you want to pursue this major?
I have been primarily interested in coding for a long time, however, over the past couple of years my interests have broadened a lot. I have realized that learning as much as I can about how computers work, creating software, websites, and assembling hardware, will not only allow me to create hobby projects for myself, but also create something valuable for anyone depending on what they want or need. Although I am not sure what specifically I want to do yet, I know I want to make something great through both my current knowledge of coding and future knowledge I have yet to obtain.
What are you most looking forward to about college?
Getting to work with various people both within and outside of my chosen major of Computer Science. I feel like I have a lot to learn within the many fields of Computer Science. I enjoy learning and working in other subjects will allow me a bit of a break from coding, math, and theory. I’m inspired to create new projects which I can connect through what I have learned in Computer Science.
Share a fun fact about yourself:
I hold my pencil differently compared to most other people - it is what I have been familiar with for the longest and helps my handwriting look better for the same reason.
Serenity Buckner — North Carolina State University — Computer Science & Philosophy
Alma Mater: Cary High School, Wake County, North Carolina
Why do you want to pursue these majors?
I desire to combine my passion for logic and algorithms with moral principles– particularly in application to Machine Learning– as I would like to further explore the ethical limits of technology. I hope to have the privilege of contributing to policy in both technology and schools, ultimately advocating for the responsible use of artificial intelligence and reforming the curriculum taught to students.
What are you most looking forward to about college?
I look forward to knowing more of the theory behind my hands-on programming, meeting people from different walks of life, joining a chess club, and participating in research opportunities.
Share a fun fact about yourself:
I can play guitar, drums, piano, and I make electronic ambient beats!
Zion Ceus — New Jersey Institute of Technology— Computer Science
Alma Mater: STEM Innovation Academy of The Oranges, Orange Public Schools, New Jersey
Why do you want to pursue this major?
I'm pursuing my intended major because I love being creative and I know from my experiences that I unleash a whole new wave of creativity when I am coding and learning about computing.
As a child, I always knew I wanted to be a software engineer. Even though I wasn't sure of the terminology as a kid, the interest was always there. I remember being at a cookout with my family and they brought up how I was always enthralled with my computer. They felt I should learn now to code and become a programmer in the future, and here we are!
My initial goal is to work for a company that embraces my creative spirit, while also helping and making a meaningful impact on people's lives. I hope to start my own company that gives back to my community, especially in underrepresented and underserved areas, by using technology as a tool for change.
What are you most looking forward to about college?
I'm looking forward the most to meeting new people, making friends, and exploring a ton of clubs and activities, while also gaining and engaging within a positive academic sphere and culture. I want to at least do one form of research while under the expertise of a professor at NJIT.
Share a fun fact about yourself:
I can play the flute—I'm also a volleyball and ultimate frisbee lover!
Congratulations to our 2025 CodeHS Scholars!
