Coding through Magic by Lindsey

Coding through Magic by Lindsey - February 2025 Scholarship Essay

I’ve found a strong interest in Computer Science, specifically coding animation, and have spent the last two years in programming and computer science classes eager to dive deeper into coding.
Ever since I was a child, my interests in movies have been skyrocketing. I used to watch the pictures upon the screens play out before me and wonder how someone was capable of creating these animations. I became so fascinated with the details behind animation that I begged and begged my parents to teach me more about it. My dad, who’s heavily involved with technology and computer science, taught me the basics of coding. He showed me how to create basic code through blocks yet I still didn’t understand how code could create the spectacles of the animated Disney movies I watched. As I dabbled with coding, my parents bought me a small circular robot, an Ozobot. I was able to connect to a website to code the little robot. And so I did just that. I made the robot move in circles, lines across my room. My curiosity with technology only grew.
Stepping into High School, I had lost my passion for coding since I really hadn’t pursued anything further than coding a mini robot. When exploring pathways for a possible career, the idea of making movies really stood out to me. I loved singing, acting, and especially writing storylines and scripts. But I also knew I wanted to explore a career I could make through which I can make an impact in and financially support myself as I grow older. I was torn between choosing a logical career or one I would fulfill all my passions with. I distinctly remember coming home from school one night and turning on a Disney show called the Imagineering story. Disney was one of the biggest influences of my life. I had grown up visiting the parks and dreaming of what it would be like to help create the magic, to be a part of the company who created happiness all over the world. I wanted to make impacts like Disney movies and theme parks made on me as a kid and inspired me to dream bigger. The Imagineering Story showed reasons behind the Walt Disney company and how they were successful within their theme parks and movies. Something stood out to me, a quote that Walt Disney had said, “It’s kind of fun to do the impossible”.
And that’s when I realized why I found so much interest in coding and animation as a child. It was because I too wanted to do the impossible, to create movies that leave lasting impacts on childhood, to bring families together, and above all to preserve the essence of magic.
As I continue to pursue a future in Computer Science, my biggest dreams of someday being able to code animation never leave my head. It pushes me to work hard in High School classes and makes me optimistic for the future in college where I plan to major in Computer Science. I can only hope that my passions in coding will leave lasting impressions on the youth, and maybe I’ll be able to inspire another young, courageous, curious female to follow her dreams, no matter how big or small. I truly do love doing the impossible.