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Angelina Brunelle

2,285

Bold Points

1x

Finalist

Bio

Thank you for viewing my Bold profile. I am an 18-year-old gap year student (Class of 2025) preparing to enter college in Fall 2026 to study Computer Science or Human-Computer Interaction. I took a gap year intentionally to build real-world experience, conduct independent research, and launch my websites. I am the founder and lead researcher of Easy Speech AAC, a free assistive communication platform for nonverbal and autistic individuals. I created the site in response to the limited customization, accessibility barriers, and high cost of existing tools. I design through HCI research, user testing, and AI-powered features to improve daily autonomy. I have also been the primary caregiver for my autistic, nonverbal older brother for nearly a decade. Supporting him shaped my commitment to building technology that empowers people with disabilities to communicate with confidence. Additionally, I built and scaled ElleBruns Collectibles, an online resale business generating over $15,000 in profit. I am currently developing Sakura Haus, an AI-personalized fashion marketplace inspired by my heritage and focused on human-centered design. I also continue advanced language studies, as I have been speaking Japanese since childhood, learning kanji, passing national language exams, and engaging with native speakers. I am entering college with a goal: to combine computer science, AI, and human-computer interaction to build ethical and accessible technology for underserved communities. These scholarships support me in continuing my education and development in inclusive tools.

Education

Emerson Jr Sr High

High School
2021 - 2025

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Bachelor's degree program

  • Majors of interest:

    • Computer Science
    • Information Science/Studies
    • Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Other
    • Human Computer Interaction
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Computer Software

    • Dream career goals:

      UX Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Data Analysis

    • Founder & Ecommerce Business Owner- ElleBruns Collectibles

      Built and scaled an online resale business generating $15,000+ profit; managed sourcing, pricing, logistics, customer service, and marketing; implemented automation and analytics to optimize operations
      2023 – Present3 years
    • Crew Member- Chipotle Mexican Grill (25–30 hrs/week)

      Operate in a fast-paced, high-volume environment with strict food safety standards; deliver customer service, cash handling, and order fulfillment; maintain speed, accuracy, and professionalism under pressure while working full-time during gap year
      2025 – Present1 year
    • Primary Family Caregiver- Special Needs Advocacy

      Primary caregiver for autistic, nonverbal older brother; managed daily routines, communication support, and safety; developed personalized structure and support strategies; experience directly inspired the creation of Easy Speech AAC
      2016 – Present10 years
    • Founder & Lead Researcher- Easy Speech AAC (https://easyspeechaac.com)

      Built a free assistive communication platform for nonverbal users; conducted HCI research and user testing; designed accessibility-first UI and AI-powered features; led full-stack development and product strategy
      2025 – Present1 year
    • Founder & Product Developer- Sakura Haus (https://sakura-haus.com): In Development

      Founded AI-personalized fashion and lifestyle marketplace inspired by heritage; built interactive style quizzes and personalized user profiles; designed e-commerce infrastructure with AI-driven recommendations; developed brand identity and UX systems
      2025 – Present1 year

    Sports

    Dancing

    Varsity
    2016 – 20248 years

    Awards

    • Regional Competition High Score Performance
    • Elite Honors in Choreography
    • 1st Place Award

    Track & Field

    Varsity
    2021 – Present5 years

    Awards

    • Spring Track: All Conference Second Team 4x400 (2021-2022)
    • Patriot Division Team of the Year (2021-2023)
    • Spring Track: All Conference Honorable Mention Triple Jump (2023-2024)
    • Group/Sectional Championship Qualifier
    • Winter Track: All Conference Honorable Mention Long Jump (2024-2025)

    Cross-Country Running

    Varsity
    2022 – 2022

    Research

    • Human Computer Interaction

      https://easyspeechaac.com/research — Lead Researcher
      2025 – Present

    Arts

    • Independent Pianist

      Music
      15+ independent classical recitals
      2016 – 2021
    • High School Concert Band

      Music
      Emerson Jr/Sr High School Disney Performance
      2021 – Present
    • High School Jazz Band

      Music
      2020 – 2025
    • High School Marching Band

      Music
      2019 – 2021

    Public services

    • Volunteering

      Key Club International — Contributed 45 hours of community service, contributing to volunteering projects
      2022 – 2024
    • Volunteering

      St John's the Baptist Roman Catholic Church — Usher/Greeter
      2022 – 2022
    • Volunteering

      The Midnight Run — Provided essential items and meals for homeless communities in New York
      2022 – 2024
    • Volunteering

      National Honor Society — Tutored middle schoolers in Algebra and Spanish; Book Drive Subcommittee Organizer
      2024 – Present
    • Volunteering

      Haiti Packathon (Holy Name Hospital) — Pack 50,000+ meals for Haiti residents suffering from food scarcity
      2022 – 2024

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Volunteering

    Philanthropy

    Entrepreneurship

    Lyndsey Scott Coding+ Scholarship
    In my school's computer lab, I sat in front of a computer, coding my final project—a product of my efforts over the past few weeks. As I clicked "run," I experienced the true joy of coding, with all of my efforts finally paying off as the program executed successfully. Code can create anything—computer science is a constantly evolving field, a tool for solving real-world challenges. As I discovered other passions, such as service, I always hoped to apply my love of technology. These moments sparked my realization of innovation's potential to drive advancements that help others. I am excited to begin my studies of computer science in college, using my unique experiences to create impactful solutions with like-minded students. I was always interested in STEM subjects, but during my sophomore year, I joined my school's Intro to Java class, which sparked my love for coding. After taking this course, I engaged in countless others, from AP Computer Science A to Advanced Programming, improving my problem-solving skills. The endless possibilities that could be explored through the field, whether you want to make games or create worldwide solutions: these programs have the power to change lives. These initial interests motivated me to join the robotics team, where I took on diverse roles—from the social media manager and driver to scout and logbook writer. While navigating countless challenges from building and programming, I collaborated with my team’s engineers to develop our robot, which taught me how to blend technical knowledge with strategic thinking—a combination important for success in computer science. Motivated by my passions, I also launched a successful e-commerce business on eBay, learning how technology and entrepreneurship can transform ambitious ideas into valuable solutions. By selling collectibles such as coins and building a business from scratch, I discovered the importance of community within the online world. Watching my venture generate a profit was exciting, but the true lessons lay in resourcefulness and adaptability. Running the business independently reminded me of my coding experiences, where a single error requires patience and critical thinking, just as a business demands thoughtful adjustments and persistence. Additionally, as a caregiver for my nonverbal, autistic brother, his outbursts were overwhelming, but supporting him deepened my love for family. My responsibilities motivated me to provide support, knowing how difficult it is for him to express his thoughts. This shaped my ability to create environments where others are supported through advocacy. I aim to improve the quality of life for vulnerable communities. Recognizing my brother's struggle with verbal communication, technology became a tool for him to express himself, using a speech device to tell others his feelings. I hope to further explore human-computer interaction and AI by joining research initiatives, creating advanced projects that improve accessibility for those with disabilities—tools such as communication devices that can positively influence lives. I aspire to blend my passion for service and entrepreneurship with a commitment to growth within computer science, drawing on the values instilled in me by my experiences. This new chapter of life is more than just academics; it’s about building a diverse community where we all dare to grow. In college, I will enrich my new campus with lessons from my personal experiences with technology, inspiring everyone to reach their full potential through innovation—whether through research projects or student organizations. This scholarship will provide me with the financial support necessary for me to pursue research and internships in human-computer interaction and AI, areas where I plan to create innovative solutions for disabled communities. Drawing from my unique experiences, I am deeply committed to improving lives through accessible technology.
    Angelina Brunelle Student Profile | Bold.org