CodeWizardsHQ student Connor is a curious and motivated learner who enjoys challenges that let him think creatively and solve problems. Whether he’s swimming laps, caring for his family’s many pets, or working on a new project, he approaches each activity with focus and enthusiasm.
At 13, he is several classes into the CodeWizardsHQ middle school curriculum and has discovered a real passion for programming—especially Python. He likes seeing how code comes together to create something that works, something he built himself.
A Spark in Scratch
His first experience with coding came when a friend introduced him to Scratch around age nine. The two of them spent school lunches creating projects together and experimenting with simple games, and that early curiosity quickly turned into a lasting interest. “When I saw what my friends had made, it looked really complicated,” he said. “I wanted to know more.”
Structure That Makes a Difference
Connor’s dad wanted to support his growing interest in coding but wasn’t sure where to start. He explored a few different options and ultimately chose CodeWizardsHQ because it offered the structure and consistency he was looking for.
“The structure was a big piece of it. It just looked well put together, and we’ve had a really good experience so far,” he said. He also appreciates the regular communication that keeps him informed and connected to what Connor is learning. “He’s really enjoying it,” he added. “He seems really excited after every class.”
Building Skills and Confidence
Since starting with CodeWizardsHQ, Connor has completed projects in both Python and web development and is already eager to move on to the next class. Projects that combine everything he has learned are his favorite, especially the ones he can share with his family. He even taught his dad how to code a Python game.
Diving Into Projects
Ask Connor about his favorite part of class, and he talks about the final projects. Those are the ones where everything they have learned comes together, and students can make it their own.
One of his favorites was the Python rock, paper, scissors game. This one stands out because he took what he learned in class and retaught it at home. He set up a mini coding session for his dad and walked him through building the game. His dad said, “He learned it well enough that he could teach me how to do it, so there’s something to it.”
Another memorable project was his HTML fortune cookie page. In his web course, he built a page where you click to get a fortune. Simple, visual, and interactive, it’s the kind of project that perfectly fits his curiosity and sense of fun.
He also remembers one of his earliest Python projects, Galactic Explorer. Even though it was one of the first, it made him feel like a real coder. “It made me feel like I’m starting to learn,” he said. “Like a lot more is going to be done in the future.”
Connor also said he likes to customize his projects. That small detail matters. Students who add features are the ones starting to think like developers, not just completing assignments.
Learning and Growing
Of the languages he has tried so far, Python is the one that clicks the most. “I really like the structuredness of it,” he said. HTML felt organized too, but Python, in his words, “has all this stuff, but it all makes sense when you figure it all out.”
He has already completed three classes, including HTML and CSS, and is enrolled in his capstone. After that, he is looking forward to JavaScript. Being able to add more interaction to websites is something he is interested in, especially because he already spends time in games and on the web.
From his dad’s perspective, the biggest win has been seeing Connor come out of class energized and being able to explain what he built. “We always ask him what he learned,” his dad said. “I think it’s a great program.”
Inside and Outside the Classroom
Connor approaches his schoolwork with the same curiosity he brings to coding. Math is his favorite subject, followed by science and Spanish. Each one challenges him to think logically and build on what he’s already learned, just like programming. He especially enjoys science experiments and projects that let him see results firsthand.
Outside of class, he stays active through swimming. He has been part of a club team and even participated in charity swims. Breaststroke is his favorite event, a good fit for someone who enjoys both precision and perseverance.
Hobbies, Pets, and Play
When he’s not coding or studying, Connor likes to unwind with video games. His current favorites are Battlefield 6 and Roblox. That interest in gaming connects naturally to his future goals, since he hopes to make games of his own and explore areas like AI and cybersecurity.
At home, Connor is surrounded by animals. His family’s love of pets, inspired by his mom’s work in animal training, keeps things lively. There’s a black cat named Calypso (or “Kipsy”), a green-cheeked conure named Tiki, several more birds, two dogs, four chickens, fish, and even a hognose snake that lives in his room. Helping care for them all gives him plenty to do and plenty of inspiration.
He also enjoys reading, especially dystopian fiction like The Fifth Wave series. It’s another way he explores big ideas and imaginative worlds, the same creative spark that drives him in coding.
Skills That Go Beyond Code
With every project, Connor is building more than technical skills. He’s learning to think creatively, solve problems with persistence, and share his knowledge with others. His curiosity and focus show in everything he does, from the pool to the classroom to his next line of code. His love of learning will take him far, both inside and outside of programming.
It seems his instructor, Christopher, agrees.
Connor is an amazing student! He always asks thoughtful questions, stays consistently engaged, and goes above and beyond on every project. It’s always a fun class when he’s in it.
Christopher Omundson, CodeWizardsHQ Instructor
