When your school district is labeled “failing,” people stop expecting greatness from you. But I never stopped expecting it from myself. Growing up in Plain Local Schools, where AP classes, updated books, and STEM programs were luxuries, not guarantees, I learned quickly how to work with what I had. My parents divorced when I was three, and for seven years, I lived with my grandparents while my mom worked full-time and put herself through nursing school. We relied on public assistance and the support of our village. Still, my mom never let me forget: “Education is your way forward.” I held onto to that truth. It made me resourceful. It made me resilient. It made me bold enough to imagine a future where I would not just survive, I would lead. While most teens were obsessed with TikTok dances and Instagram likes, I was figuring out how video games worked. I dissected the mechanics of The Sims, Cities: Skylines, and Roblox for fun. I taught myself basic coding just to understand how virtual worlds came to life. Nerdy? Maybe. But I call myself a blerd—a Black nerd—and I wear it with pride. That passion for games became the spark that led me to Computer Engineering. Today, I am a proud Computer Engineering major at Hampton University with a dream of becoming a lead game developer at Nintendo, or launching my own company. I want to create games and apps that reflect real diversity, because growing up, I not always see people who looked like me in the worlds I escaped to. That matters. Representation in tech is not optional, it is necessary. But I never wanted to “make it” just for myself. I want to open doors for others, too. That’s why I created “Carmyn’s Caring Closet”, a city-wide back-to-school drive that started with just me collecting donated clothes, supplies, books, and hygiene items for students in my district. I went door to door, reached out to neighboring schools, and grew the fundraiser from a neighborhood project to a community-wide initiative. I knew I would not fix every systemic barrier, but I could help a student walk into class with confidence. It is also why I teach self-defense classes to young women in my hometown. As a second-degree black belt in karate, I originally trained through an exchange: one of the parents from a wealthier district owned a studio, and I mentored younger students in return for lessons. That opportunity shaped my confidence and discipline; I now pass those same lessons on to others. My goal is always the same: to help others believe in their worth, power, and safety. At Hampton, I lead through service in every space I enter. I am active in the Student Recruitment Team, Spirit and Special Events Committee, the National Society of Black Engineers, and the National Society of Black Women Engineers. These roles allow me to amplify voices, create community, and show up for students who need someone in their corner. I am not just a “blerd.” I am a builder. A mentor. A joyful warrior. I carry my village with me in everything I do. I lead with kindness because I know what it is like to grow up without much, but never without love. I know that every world I build, every student I serve, and every girl I uplift is one more reflection of the future I am fighting for. One day, when you see my name in the credits of the next big game, you will smile and say, “Yep. That was Carmyn.”

When your school district is labeled “failing,” people stop expecting greatness from you. But I never stopped expecting it from myself. Growing up in Plain Local Schools, where AP classes, updated books, and STEM programs were luxuries, not guarantees, I learned quickly how to work with what I had. My parents divorced when I was three, and for seven years, I lived with my grandparents while my mom worked full-time and put herself through nursing school. We relied on public assistance and the support of our village. Still, my mom never let me forget: “Education is your way forward.” I held onto to that truth. It made me resourceful. It made me resilient. It made me bold enough to imagine a future where I would not just survive, I would lead. While most teens were obsessed with TikTok dances and Instagram likes, I was figuring out how video games worked. I dissected the mechanics of The Sims, Cities: Skylines, and Roblox for fun. I taught myself basic coding just to understand how virtual worlds came to life. Nerdy? Maybe. But I call myself a blerd—a Black nerd—and I wear it with pride. That passion for games became the spark that led me to Computer Engineering. Today, I am a proud Computer Engineering major at Hampton University with a dream of becoming a lead game developer at Nintendo, or launching my own company. I want to create games and apps that reflect real diversity, because growing up, I not always see people who looked like me in the worlds I escaped to. That matters. Representation in tech is not optional, it is necessary. But I never wanted to “make it” just for myself. I want to open doors for others, too. That’s why I created “Carmyn’s Caring Closet”, a city-wide back-to-school drive that started with just me collecting donated clothes, supplies, books, and hygiene items for students in my district. I went door to door, reached out to neighboring schools, and grew the fundraiser from a neighborhood project to a community-wide initiative. I knew I would not fix every systemic barrier, but I could help a student walk into class with confidence. It is also why I teach self-defense classes to young women in my hometown. As a second-degree black belt in karate, I originally trained through an exchange: one of the parents from a wealthier district owned a studio, and I mentored younger students in return for lessons. That opportunity shaped my confidence and discipline; I now pass those same lessons on to others. My goal is always the same: to help others believe in their worth, power, and safety. At Hampton, I lead through service in every space I enter. I am active in the Student Recruitment Team, Spirit and Special Events Committee, the National Society of Black Engineers, and the National Society of Black Women Engineers. These roles allow me to amplify voices, create community, and show up for students who need someone in their corner. I am not just a “blerd.” I am a builder. A mentor. A joyful warrior. I carry my village with me in everything I do. I lead with kindness because I know what it is like to grow up without much, but never without love. I know that every world I build, every student I serve, and every girl I uplift is one more reflection of the future I am fighting for. One day, when you see my name in the credits of the next big game, you will smile and say, “Yep. That was Carmyn.”

When your school district is labeled “failing,” people stop expecting greatness from you. But I never stopped expecting it from myself. Growing up in Plain Local Schools, where AP classes, updated books, and STEM programs were luxuries, not guarantees, I learned quickly how to work with what I had. My parents divorced when I was three, and for seven years, I lived with my grandparents while my mom worked full-time and put herself through nursing school. We relied on public assistance and the support of our village. Still, my mom never let me forget: “Education is your way forward.” I held onto to that truth. It made me resourceful. It made me resilient. It made me bold enough to imagine a future where I would not just survive, I would lead. While most teens were obsessed with TikTok dances and Instagram likes, I was figuring out how video games worked. I dissected the mechanics of The Sims, Cities: Skylines, and Roblox for fun. I taught myself basic coding just to understand how virtual worlds came to life. Nerdy? Maybe. But I call myself a blerd—a Black nerd—and I wear it with pride. That passion for games became the spark that led me to Computer Engineering. Today, I am a proud Computer Engineering major at Hampton University with a dream of becoming a lead game developer at Nintendo, or launching my own company. I want to create games and apps that reflect real diversity, because growing up, I not always see people who looked like me in the worlds I escaped to. That matters. Representation in tech is not optional, it is necessary. But I never wanted to “make it” just for myself. I want to open doors for others, too. That’s why I created “Carmyn’s Caring Closet”, a city-wide back-to-school drive that started with just me collecting donated clothes, supplies, books, and hygiene items for students in my district. I went door to door, reached out to neighboring schools, and grew the fundraiser from a neighborhood project to a community-wide initiative. I knew I would not fix every systemic barrier, but I could help a student walk into class with confidence. It is also why I teach self-defense classes to young women in my hometown. As a second-degree black belt in karate, I originally trained through an exchange: one of the parents from a wealthier district owned a studio, and I mentored younger students in return for lessons. That opportunity shaped my confidence and discipline; I now pass those same lessons on to others. My goal is always the same: to help others believe in their worth, power, and safety. At Hampton, I lead through service in every space I enter. I am active in the Student Recruitment Team, Spirit and Special Events Committee, the National Society of Black Engineers, and the National Society of Black Women Engineers. These roles allow me to amplify voices, create community, and show up for students who need someone in their corner. I am not just a “blerd.” I am a builder. A mentor. A joyful warrior. I carry my village with me in everything I do. I lead with kindness because I know what it is like to grow up without much, but never without love. I know that every world I build, every student I serve, and every girl I uplift is one more reflection of the future I am fighting for. One day, when you see my name in the credits of the next big game, you will smile and say, “Yep. That was Carmyn.”

When your school district is labeled “failing,” people stop expecting greatness from you. But I never stopped expecting it from myself. Growing up in Plain Local Schools, where AP classes, updated books, and STEM programs were luxuries, not guarantees, I learned quickly how to work with what I had. My parents divorced when I was three, and for seven years, I lived with my grandparents while my mom worked full-time and put herself through nursing school. We relied on public assistance and the support of our village. Still, my mom never let me forget: “Education is your way forward.” I held onto to that truth. It made me resourceful. It made me resilient. It made me bold enough to imagine a future where I would not just survive, I would lead. While most teens were obsessed with TikTok dances and Instagram likes, I was figuring out how video games worked. I dissected the mechanics of The Sims, Cities: Skylines, and Roblox for fun. I taught myself basic coding just to understand how virtual worlds came to life. Nerdy? Maybe. But I call myself a blerd—a Black nerd—and I wear it with pride. That passion for games became the spark that led me to Computer Engineering. Today, I am a proud Computer Engineering major at Hampton University with a dream of becoming a lead game developer at Nintendo, or launching my own company. I want to create games and apps that reflect real diversity, because growing up, I not always see people who looked like me in the worlds I escaped to. That matters. Representation in tech is not optional, it is necessary. But I never wanted to “make it” just for myself. I want to open doors for others, too. That’s why I created “Carmyn’s Caring Closet”, a city-wide back-to-school drive that started with just me collecting donated clothes, supplies, books, and hygiene items for students in my district. I went door to door, reached out to neighboring schools, and grew the fundraiser from a neighborhood project to a community-wide initiative. I knew I would not fix every systemic barrier, but I could help a student walk into class with confidence. It is also why I teach self-defense classes to young women in my hometown. As a second-degree black belt in karate, I originally trained through an exchange: one of the parents from a wealthier district owned a studio, and I mentored younger students in return for lessons. That opportunity shaped my confidence and discipline; I now pass those same lessons on to others. My goal is always the same: to help others believe in their worth, power, and safety. At Hampton, I lead through service in every space I enter. I am active in the Student Recruitment Team, Spirit and Special Events Committee, the National Society of Black Engineers, and the National Society of Black Women Engineers. These roles allow me to amplify voices, create community, and show up for students who need someone in their corner. I am not just a “blerd.” I am a builder. A mentor. A joyful warrior. I carry my village with me in everything I do. I lead with kindness because I know what it is like to grow up without much, but never without love. I know that every world I build, every student I serve, and every girl I uplift is one more reflection of the future I am fighting for. One day, when you see my name in the credits of the next big game, you will smile and say, “Yep. That was Carmyn.”

When your school district is labeled “failing,” people stop expecting greatness from you. But I never stopped expecting it from myself. Growing up in Plain Local Schools, where AP classes, updated books, and STEM programs were luxuries, not guarantees, I learned quickly how to work with what I had. My parents divorced when I was three, and for seven years, I lived with my grandparents while my mom worked full-time and put herself through nursing school. We relied on public assistance and the support of our village. Still, my mom never let me forget: “Education is your way forward.” I held onto to that truth. It made me resourceful. It made me resilient. It made me bold enough to imagine a future where I would not just survive, I would lead. While most teens were obsessed with TikTok dances and Instagram likes, I was figuring out how video games worked. I dissected the mechanics of The Sims, Cities: Skylines, and Roblox for fun. I taught myself basic coding just to understand how virtual worlds came to life. Nerdy? Maybe. But I call myself a blerd—a Black nerd—and I wear it with pride. That passion for games became the spark that led me to Computer Engineering. Today, I am a proud Computer Engineering major at Hampton University with a dream of becoming a lead game developer at Nintendo, or launching my own company. I want to create games and apps that reflect real diversity, because growing up, I not always see people who looked like me in the worlds I escaped to. That matters. Representation in tech is not optional, it is necessary. But I never wanted to “make it” just for myself. I want to open doors for others, too. That’s why I created “Carmyn’s Caring Closet”, a city-wide back-to-school drive that started with just me collecting donated clothes, supplies, books, and hygiene items for students in my district. I went door to door, reached out to neighboring schools, and grew the fundraiser from a neighborhood project to a community-wide initiative. I knew I would not fix every systemic barrier, but I could help a student walk into class with confidence. It is also why I teach self-defense classes to young women in my hometown. As a second-degree black belt in karate, I originally trained through an exchange: one of the parents from a wealthier district owned a studio, and I mentored younger students in return for lessons. That opportunity shaped my confidence and discipline; I now pass those same lessons on to others. My goal is always the same: to help others believe in their worth, power, and safety. At Hampton, I lead through service in every space I enter. I am active in the Student Recruitment Team, Spirit and Special Events Committee, the National Society of Black Engineers, and the National Society of Black Women Engineers. These roles allow me to amplify voices, create community, and show up for students who need someone in their corner. I am not just a “blerd.” I am a builder. A mentor. A joyful warrior. I carry my village with me in everything I do. I lead with kindness because I know what it is like to grow up without much, but never without love. I know that every world I build, every student I serve, and every girl I uplift is one more reflection of the future I am fighting for. One day, when you see my name in the credits of the next big game, you will smile and say, “Yep. That was Carmyn.”

When your school district is labeled “failing,” people stop expecting greatness from you. But I never stopped expecting it from myself. Growing up in Plain Local Schools, where AP classes, updated books, and STEM programs were luxuries, not guarantees, I learned quickly how to work with what I had. My parents divorced when I was three, and for seven years, I lived with my grandparents while my mom worked full-time and put herself through nursing school. We relied on public assistance and the support of our village. Still, my mom never let me forget: “Education is your way forward.” I held onto to that truth. It made me resourceful. It made me resilient. It made me bold enough to imagine a future where I would not just survive, I would lead. While most teens were obsessed with TikTok dances and Instagram likes, I was figuring out how video games worked. I dissected the mechanics of The Sims, Cities: Skylines, and Roblox for fun. I taught myself basic coding just to understand how virtual worlds came to life. Nerdy? Maybe. But I call myself a blerd—a Black nerd—and I wear it with pride. That passion for games became the spark that led me to Computer Engineering. Today, I am a proud Computer Engineering major at Hampton University with a dream of becoming a lead game developer at Nintendo, or launching my own company. I want to create games and apps that reflect real diversity, because growing up, I not always see people who looked like me in the worlds I escaped to. That matters. Representation in tech is not optional, it is necessary. But I never wanted to “make it” just for myself. I want to open doors for others, too. That’s why I created “Carmyn’s Caring Closet”, a city-wide back-to-school drive that started with just me collecting donated clothes, supplies, books, and hygiene items for students in my district. I went door to door, reached out to neighboring schools, and grew the fundraiser from a neighborhood project to a community-wide initiative. I knew I would not fix every systemic barrier, but I could help a student walk into class with confidence. It is also why I teach self-defense classes to young women in my hometown. As a second-degree black belt in karate, I originally trained through an exchange: one of the parents from a wealthier district owned a studio, and I mentored younger students in return for lessons. That opportunity shaped my confidence and discipline; I now pass those same lessons on to others. My goal is always the same: to help others believe in their worth, power, and safety. At Hampton, I lead through service in every space I enter. I am active in the Student Recruitment Team, Spirit and Special Events Committee, the National Society of Black Engineers, and the National Society of Black Women Engineers. These roles allow me to amplify voices, create community, and show up for students who need someone in their corner. I am not just a “blerd.” I am a builder. A mentor. A joyful warrior. I carry my village with me in everything I do. I lead with kindness because I know what it is like to grow up without much, but never without love. I know that every world I build, every student I serve, and every girl I uplift is one more reflection of the future I am fighting for. One day, when you see my name in the credits of the next big game, you will smile and say, “Yep. That was Carmyn.”

When your school district is labeled “failing,” people stop expecting greatness from you. But I never stopped expecting it from myself. Growing up in Plain Local Schools, where AP classes, updated books, and STEM programs were luxuries, not guarantees, I learned quickly how to work with what I had. My parents divorced when I was three, and for seven years, I lived with my grandparents while my mom worked full-time and put herself through nursing school. We relied on public assistance and the support of our village. Still, my mom never let me forget: “Education is your way forward.” I held onto that truth. It made me resourceful. It made me resilient. It made me bold enough to imagine a future where I would not just survive, I would lead. While most teens were obsessed with TikTok dances and Instagram likes, I was figuring out how video games worked. I dissected the mechanics of The Sims, Cities: Skylines, and Roblox for fun. I taught myself basic coding just to understand how virtual worlds came to life. Nerdy? Maybe. But I call myself a blerd—a Black nerd—and I wear it with pride. That passion for games became the spark that led me to Computer Engineering. Today, I am a proud Computer Engineering major at Hampton University with a dream of becoming a lead game developer at Nintendo, or launching my own company. I want to create games and apps that reflect real diversity, because growing up, I not always see people who looked like me in the worlds I escaped to. That matters. Representation in tech is not optional, it is necessary. But I never wanted to “make it” just for myself. I want to open doors for others, too. That’s why I created “Carmyn’s Caring Closet”, a city-wide back-to-school drive that started with just me collecting donated clothes, supplies, books, and hygiene items for students in my district. I went door to door, reached out to neighboring schools, and grew the fundraiser from a neighborhood project to a community-wide initiative. I knew I would not fix every systemic barrier, but I could help a student walk into class with confidence. It is also why I teach self-defense classes to young women in my hometown. As a second-degree black belt in karate, I originally trained through an exchange: one of the parents from a wealthier district owned a studio, and I mentored younger students in return for lessons. That opportunity shaped my confidence and discipline; I now pass those same lessons on to others. My goal is always the same: to help others believe in their worth, power, and safety. At Hampton, I lead through service in every space I enter. I am active in the Student Recruitment Team, Spirit and Special Events Committee, the National Society of Black Engineers, and the National Society of Black Women Engineers. These roles allow me to amplify voices, create community, and show up for students who need someone in their corner. I am not just a “blerd.” I am a builder. A mentor. A joyful warrior. I carry my village with me in everything I do. I lead with kindness because I know what it is like to grow up without much, but never without love. I know that every world I build, every student I serve, and every girl I uplift is one more reflection of the future I am fighting for. One day, when you see my name in the credits of the next big game, you will smile and say, “Yep. That was Carmyn.”