Intern Feature: Gabriella Ruffels
Our next intern feature is Gabriella Ruffels, another one of our amazing Summer Program Associates! Gabriella is entering 10th grade at Lansdale Catholic High School, Pennsylvania. She is a Connelly Foundation Neumann Scholar and is involved in the STEM Honors Program. She is also a member of the yearbook committee and the speech & debate team. In addition to her accomplishments and activities in academics, Gabriella’s favorite activity is being a part of the field hockey team, in which she plays forward wing.
The part about Girls Code the World that initially drew her in, she says, was the unique age demographic. “Often programs dedicated to STEM are marketed toward older girls, but I think it’s really important to reach girls at a younger age and encourage them to pursue a passion in STEM.”
“Girls Code the World is so important because it creates an atmosphere where girls can express their ideas freely and collaborate with others. Promoting this type of setting helps girls prepare to speak up when they face discriminatory challenges that women in STEM often deal with in the classroom and workplace.”
~Gabriella on Why she thinks Girls Code the World is important
As a Summer Program Associate, Gabriella feels that she has “the best of both worlds.” Behind the scenes, she creates lesson plans, budgets for programs, and works with the Board of Directors. She loved working with Sydney and Mina, co-founders of Girls Code the World: “Seeing how much they have accomplished at such a young age has been an amazing experience!” Gabriella sees Sydney and Mina as excellent role models, and that’s part of what Girls Code the World is all about–––creating role models for girls in STEM to look up to. During camp weeks, on the other hand, Gabriella interacts with the campers and speakers. Her favorite part is talking with the campers about their ideas as they always get very creative with the planned lessons. “It’s so interesting to see the unique finished products that [the campers] come up with.”
During one of her weeks programming at Girls Code the World, Gabriella had the unique experience of working with children at Homefront, a social services organization aiming to end homelessness in central New Jersey. “All of the kids were so engaged in the activities, and it was amazing to get to know each of them. Since it was their first time in Philadelphia, they were also very curious about the city, and we were able to spend some time outside as well. I’m so happy I got to be a part of that week and made a difference in their lives,” says Gabriella.
Throughout her role at Girls Code the World, Gabriella thinks that the most important skill she has practiced is how to be a better communicator, from working with other Program Associates and coordinating with speakers to engaging the younger girls during lessons.
We are appreciative and so proud of what Gabriella has done at GTCW, and look forward to seeing her future accomplishments!
“My favorite part of Girls Code the World has been the sense of community. The care and passion that the team members have is extended not only to the campers but to the other GCTW members. The supportive environment has fostered so much growth for me in my short time here.”
~Gabriella on her favorite part of Girls Code the World
