We are thrilled to announce the winners of the 2024 Spark Scholarships! These exceptional young minds have demonstrated remarkable dedication, creativity, and passion for technology and entrepreneurship.
Their inspiring journeys and achievements highlight the transformative power of education and mentorship.
Please join us in celebrating our 18 2024 Spark Scholarship winners:
Ages 8-11
Akshay Kokotovich
“I learned that I am a strong coder and helper on my First Lego League team. This year I learned how to use notification blocks to move two pieces at the same time. When things get hard, I don’t give up. Winning this scholarship would encourage me to continue my learning in STEM and show that all of my studying and hard work pays off.”
Ellie Abel
“Technovation Girls has sparked my interest in design because it gives you a taste of doing that on your own. Now I am HOOKED on designing. This experience made me choose a design elective at school, and I can’t wait until that class starts!”
Kayla Lueth
“After participating in the Technovation Challenge, I know that I would like to continue developing applications, games, and other software into my adulthood. I enjoy working with my friends to finish software that will improve the lives of others and bring them better health and entertainment.”
Arya Lueth
“I believe we should use technology to enrich ourselves in other ways rather than just mindlessly stare at entertaining videos all day long. This scholarship will help support my dreams of going to college and exploring ways to use technology to fuse my greatest loves in life – music, application development, and close friendships.”
Calvin Moua
“I want to create cool video games and it makes me happy when people like my code. Winning this scholarship will help me get my own laptop so I can code longer and share my games with friends.”
Ages 12-14
Lukas Dierker
“My interest in coding didn’t start with Code Savvy, but their events have made me more interested in coding and technology. I’ve learned that I like teaching and helping other people with their projects, and I’m excited to continue exploring more coding languages.”
Amelia Dyrstad
“Attending the Code Savvy Explorer program has increased my curiosity and encouraged me to pursue learning more about programming. I aspire to use my knowledge of technology to help improve my community and create more opportunities for people.”
Akshara Talluri
“By engaging in Technovation Girls, I discovered how interesting, exciting, and useful technology and software development could be. I truly believe that with the right intentions and proper planning, technology and entrepreneurship can solve many problems.”
Sia Sood
“Participating in Technovation Girls provided me with mentorship from skilled experts who guided me through simple steps that kept me excited. I learned many aspects of ideating, designing, and building an app. My mentors helped me see that I could achieve things I never thought possible, and now I am more focused on helping other children through technology.”
Leah Bourn
“Through Technovation, I have learned about coding, business, and teamwork. My goal in high school is to start a non-profit that will connect volunteers with senior living facilities to decrease loneliness in seniors and improve their living conditions.”
Saanvi Yemireddy
“My participation in Technovation Girls MN gave me my first big experience in technology, entrepreneurship, design, and development. I want to use my creativity and hard work to help people and the world we live in.”
Ages 15-17
Thanishka Shetty
“Technovation Girls was a pivotal moment in my journey, showing me that tech entrepreneurship isn’t just about coding; it’s also about understanding the market and building a sustainable business model. I aspire to create innovative healthcare solutions that improve patient outcomes and quality of life.”
Sreya Subramanian
“My participation in Code Savvy programs opened my eyes to a world of possibilities in tech entrepreneurship. Creating Gratzi, a gratitude journaling app, showed me the potential of technology to address social issues and promote mental well-being.”
Harini Vinod
“Participating in Code Savvy programs ignited my passion for technology and kindled my entrepreneurial spirit. Through this experience, I gained a newfound appreciation for using technology as a tool for social good.”
Ava Illingworth
“My first season of Technovation was definitely hard but I learned so much! Not only did I learn how to code, and how to design and create a business, but I learned that coding and technology can be used for the greater good. These programs have taught me to embrace the trial-and-error stage of projects and be ok with messing up. Making mistakes is a crucial part of the process for anyone, especially for those just learning.”
Reeha Ibrahim
“Participating in Technovation Girls Minnesota provided me with mentorship from skilled experts who guided me through simple steps that kept me excited. I learned many aspects of ideating, designing, and building an app. My mentors helped me see that I could achieve things I never thought possible, and now I am more focused on helping other children through technology.”
Ages 19-26
Audrey Le Meur
“My participation in Code Savvy both as a student and educator has shown me the transformative power of technology. I was so proud of the scores that my students got on the AP exam, including one student who received a perfect score. This wouldn’t have been possible without the guidance I received, proving that mentoring and support can truly change lives.”
Samantha Gause
“I had never been more inspired and proud of myself in those moments; I’d never been happier to share them with two incredibly talented women. It showed me that stepping out of my comfort zone can lead to the most rewarding experiences.”
These young innovators embody the spirit of the Spark Scholarships. Their stories of resilience, creativity, and passion inspire us all to dream big and work hard to achieve our goals. We are excited to see what the future holds for these talented individuals as they continue to make a positive impact in their communities and beyond.