Project Impact
Finding the Spark
Project Journey
Brainstorming & Conception
Initially, Arnav envisioned creating a blog for publishing his poems through Crimson Creative Publication. Working closely with his mentor, he developed a comprehensive list of writing options and potential mediums. While his initial focus was on poetry and short stories—formats he was already familiar with—Arnav's vision expanded beyond poetry into something more ambitious.
Vision & Innovation
Grace's volunteer experience highlighted a critical gap: quality coding education wasn't reaching those who needed it most. While exploring various initiatives—from establishing coding foundations for girls to organizing fundraising tournaments—she realized technology itself could bridge this divide. Thus, CodeLingo was conceived: a free, engaging platform making coding as approachable as learning a new language.
Development & Literary Exploration
The project began with an in-depth study of celebrated authors. Arnav identified three primary influences:
Rudyard Kipling Ruskin Bond Maya Angelou
In Arnav's own words about Rudyard Kipling:
"I like how he expresses the true motive of life in such a beautiful way. He taught me how to live life." This exploration led to a pivotal shift—from writing poems to undertaking a full-length novel. Drawing from his appreciation of how authors explore life's transformative journeys, Arnav developed The Road to Emerging Powers. His story follows an orphan's journey to becoming a hero, examining how surroundings and circumstances shape one's mindset and thoughts.
Development Phase
Despite her existing coding proficiency, Grace invested in strengthening her technical foundation. Before beginning the project, she
+ Underwent intensive one-on-one coding training
+ Mastered multiple programming languages
App Architecture & Implementation
Together with her mentor, she worked on designing the app's elements, drafting the basic code, and overseeing the end-to-end requirements of the project, including design and user experience planning. Every feature was designed with beginners in mind. This exploration led to the development of Code-Lingo's core features:
+ Gamified learning system with streaks and challenges
+ Progressive difficulty levels
+ Support for multiple programming languages
+ Interactive coding exercises
+ Achievement-based progression
She took charge of creating a calendar schedule to ensure the timely completion of the app development. Grace, along with her mentor, conducted multiple iterations and edits after presenting the final product to various audiences, including parents and peers.
Writing & Publishing Process
Like every writer, Arnav faced his fair share of challenges. Writer's block tested his creativity, while maintaining motivation through long writing sessions proved demanding. The journey from first draft to published book involved hundreds of hours of editing and proofreading, requiring both patience and persistence. Through consistent mentorship, collaborative ideation, and rigorous editing sessions, he refined his manuscript until it met professional publishing standards.
The decision to pursue physical publication brought its own set of considerations. While digital platforms offered immediate feedback, Arnav recognized the enduring value of a printed book—particularly for reaching school audiences and serious readers.
His efforts paid off when he successfully pitched his concept to BriBooks, the world's leading children's creative writing platform. BriBooks' global distribution network, including platforms like Amazon, helped Arnav's work reach an international audience.
Launch & Competition
The project culminated in Grace's participation in the Congressional App Challenge, one of the most prestigious competitions for young developers in middle and high school. She created a compelling pitch video showcasing both the technical innovation and social impact of CodeLingo.
With a background in dance, education, and political leadership, Lucia uses empathy to empower self-directed learning and values-based choices. She has mentored extensively through Bowdoin College initiatives and worked as a legislative aide for U.S. President Pro Tempore Patrick Leahy (D-VT).
As a professional artist, Lucia has premiered eleven original dance works at prestigious venues. Her diverse leadership skills and artistic perspective provide unique insights to students, focusing on cultivating strengths and empowering them to thrive.
Under her mentorship, students have gained admission to programs like Johns Hopkins CTY and Columbia Pre-College, while achieving success in speech, writing, MUN, and math competitions. Through active listening and collaboration, she helps students develop impactful projects while building essential leadership skills.