Canessa Washington, recipient of the Hartmann Scholarship (awarded every four years), spoke about her journey. She graduated from West High School and earned an associate’s degree Magna Cum Laude from the Fashion Institute of Technology in South Korea. She is now a global scholar, moving to Florence, Italy, in August to pursue a bachelor’s in fashion business management, representing her school in promoting global connections and cultural intelligence.
Kathy Eckert, Chief Program Officer of Code Girls United, introduced the program alongside coordinators and students. Haley, an 8th grader, has participated for 4.5 years, won scholarships three times, and plans to become a software engineer. She now serves as an ambassador, teaching younger girls. Sage, involved for 7–8 years, progressed from block coding to advanced Python and app development. Despite moving to Minnesota, she remained engaged with equipment sent by the program. She recently built an app set for market release and now interns to mentor others.
Program Overview
- Free after-school program for girls in grades 4–12.
- Operates in 6 public schools in Billings and across Montana.
- Weekly 90-minute sessions during the school year (September–April).
- Curriculum includes coding, problem-solving, AI, and cybersecurity.
Uses MIT App Inventor for block coding; advanced students learn Python and work with Raspberry Pi.
The speaker emphasized the importance of Rotary’s community impact and noted a current weakness: low committee participation. Members are encouraged to volunteer a few hours per month. An email from Mireya Lane will detail opportunities. The goal is to strengthen the club’s capacity to support students and causes like those highlighted.
