When Reese Ochitwa discovered her high school robotics class had been cut due to staffing shortages, she didn’t just accept the loss — she turned it into inspiration. Ochitwa launched Bert Church High School’s first coding club in fall 2024, determined to give her peers a creative, welcoming space to explore computer science.
What began as a solution to a cancelled class has evolved into a thriving hub of innovation, collaboration and curiosity — where students build websites, design games and learn that coding isn’t just for tech geniuses, but for anyone with an imagination.
As she prepares to head off to Dalhousie University to study computer science and physics, Reese is leaving behind more than just a club — she’s starting a movement. One that’s reshaping how young people see technology, and, more importantly, how they see themselves.
“Coding is one of the greatest activities in the world. Being able to create anything you can dream of is an invaluable skill I think more students should learn,” says Ochitwa.
“Some students may think coding is difficult or out of their range of capabilities, so I want to provide a space for them to feel comfortable learning, making mistakes and creating anything they can imagine.”
Ochitwa became interested in programming when she joined a girls’ STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) club hosted by her Grade 5 teacher at Heloise Lorimer School. Through the club, she attended coding workshops and robotics competitions. The STEAM club impacted her greatly and inspired her to do the same for her high school community, leading to her launching Bert Church Coders.
“Part of starting and running a club like this is that it is student-led and Reese was the main force behind everything to do with the club,” says Jacob Lakaparampil, teacher lead and sponsor of the coding club.
“My role was minimal as she planned the activities and answered club-member questions. Her impact cannot be overstated; she is a very talented and driven individual whose success will no doubt continue on beyond Bert Church High School.”
The club members began the school year by building personal websites that showcased their interests. Afterwards, they learned a new coding language, Javascript, and started developing games they could play on handheld consoles also built in the club.
“The benefits of being in the club include being able to connect with peers who share similar interests,” says Ochitwa.
“One of my favourite parts of the club is meeting new students with whom I never would have guessed I shared so much in common. The club also provides an encouraging, positive and creative environment for students to explore a new subject or further their existing passion.”
Even though Ochitwa has moved on to Dalhousie, club members can look forward to a new year filled with language, games, and opportunities to grow their skills and explore their creativity through code.
“Having a coding club within the school is beneficial for students seeking for a space to learn coding, but also to be part of a community of ‘hackers,’” says Lakaparampil. “Those being students like themselves who want to figure out how the technology around them works, to take it apart and to be able to modify or enhance it.
“Being part of a hack club also connected them to a global community of youth like themselves and opportunities to come together through open-source projects online or in person at hackathons.”
Going into the 2025/26 school year, Bert Church Coders will continue to provide students with an outlet to explore their interests in coding.
“I would like people to know that the club is for anyone, not just those who have experience or know they are interested in computer science,” says Ochitwa.
“Coding, to me, is a creative pursuit that anyone can have fun experimenting with. Code may seem intimidating or incomprehensible at first, but I promise that, if you try it, you’ll have fun and eventually create something you never thought possible.”
A New Schulich Leader from Airdrie
Reese Ochitwa’s efforts to improve her school and the community have not gone unnoticed. She was recently the first Bert Church student to receive a $100,000 Schulich Leader Scholarship.
The Schulich Leader Scholarships are awarded annually to 100 outstanding students across Canada who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership and a deep commitment to pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering or mathematics.
“I felt so honoured to be recognized and grateful for all the support from my parents, teachers and community members who helped throughout my high school journey,” says Ochitwa, who now moves on to study computer science and physics at Dalhousie University.
“The scholarship also comes with career and education opportunities, so it inspires me to continue to be hopeful and ambitious in the future. I also hope me winning the scholarship inspires others at my school and in Airdrie to become more involved with their community and pursue their passions.”
Every high school in Canada can nominate one graduating student each year to apply for the scholarship.
