When Nico was just six, he got a gift from his dad that would spark a long-lasting interest: a small robot that he could program. “I got to code a robot, and it was really simple,” Nico recalled. “I just did it, and I liked it.”
That simple introduction to programming was all it took. Soon, Nico was exploring Scratch on his own and building projects independently. “I did a lot of Scratch on my own for almost two years,” he said. Today, Nico is eleven years old and a standout student at CodeWizardsHQ, having completed an impressive eleven classes, and he’s not slowing down anytime soon.
Finding the Right Program
Nico’s parents have always prioritized academic enrichment for their children. “We always try to give them as much as we can and try to keep them ahead,” Nico’s mom explained. With a background in electrical engineering, Nico’s father played a key role in discovering CodeWizardsHQ, and Nico was excited to give it a try.
For Nico’s family, coding represents more than just an extracurricular activity; it’s an important skill with real-world applications. “My husband is all about science, math, and coding,” said Nico’s mom. “He thinks that programming is a good field, and it’s something that can get our children a good career down the line.”
They enrolled both Nico and his younger sister in CodeWizardsHQ. “We thought, at this age, we’ll see if she takes any interest. Now both of our kids are taking coding classes,” she added. “They enjoy it. That’s the most important thing.”
A Seasoned CodeWizardsHQ Student
With eleven classes under his belt, Nico has been a part of the CodeWizardsHQ community for a few years now. His strong dedication and quick learning have helped him steadily progress through increasingly advanced courses. Currently, he’s in the Responsive Web Development class and preparing to move into Interactive JavaScript.
When asked what first drew him to coding, his answer was simple and honest: “Because I thought it was cool. I like video games and I wanted to make them.”
Favorite Projects and Skills
Through his classes at CodeWizardsHQ, Nico has created a variety of projects. One that stands out is a Python game called Wizard Quest. Another favorite is an HTML project where he built a website about himself. “That was pretty cool,” he said. He also mentioned a project from Beyond Basics with Python called “Fifty to Win,” a dice game where different combinations of even and odd rolls affect the outcome. “If both of them are even, you get one point, and if both of them are odd, the computer does,” he explained.
When asked about his favorite coding language, Nico was quick to answer. “Probably Python,” he said. His enthusiasm for the language shows in the creative games and projects he’s developed throughout his classes. Alongside Python, he’s also gained experience with web development tools like HTML, and he’s excited to keep expanding his toolkit. He shared that learning to code has helped him improve his logical thinking and organizational skills, benefits that go far beyond the screen.
Looking ahead, Nico is eager to take on new challenges in coding. “I want to learn JavaScript too. It’s my next class,” he said. He also shared a growing interest in Roblox game development. “I did a summer class where I made a Roblox game, and I tried doing it by myself, too,” he said. “That was pretty cool. I want to learn how to do that more.”
Learning Outside the Classroom
Even outside of his CodeWizardsHQ classes, Nico keeps his interest in programming alive. “I make games on my own,” he said. “I’ve made a bunch of Scratch games, and I made one Roblox game, but I’m still working on it.”
Though he’s not entirely sure what career path he’ll take, he has some ideas. “I don’t know what I’m going to do if I have a career in coding. But I do want to make games,” he said.
A Well-Rounded Student
In addition to coding, Nico has a wide range of interests and activities. His favorite subject in school is math, though reading sometimes edges it out. He also enjoys science, especially the hands-on parts. “I like experiments and doing stuff I haven’t learned about before,” he said.
When he’s not coding or in school, Nico keeps busy with several extracurriculars. He enjoys playing video games, practices piano, trains in Taekwondo, and swims during the summer.
He’s been playing piano for about three years and participates in a recital every year. While it’s not his favorite activity, he admits that some of the pieces he learns are catchy.
Taekwondo is one of his favorite activities. Nico trains five times a week and has already reached the Senior Blue belt after just one year, a testament to his commitment and perseverance. He enjoys the physicality of the sport and thinks it’s fun to learn how to defend himself.
Hobbies and Interests
Nico is an avid reader who enjoys immersing himself in a variety of books. Some recent favorites include Spy School and The Curse of the Spider King. He gravitates toward stories with adventure, mystery, and fantasy elements that keep him turning the pages.
In the world of gaming, Nico enjoys Roblox, Marvel Rivals, Minecraft, and Brawl Stars. These games are some of his favorites to play in his free time, offering a mix of creativity, competition, and entertainment.
Looking Ahead
With years of coding experience already behind him and more classes ahead, Nico continues to impress with both his technical skills and his vibrant personality. He’s not only building advanced coding projects, he’s also building up those around him. Known for his quick thinking and great sense of humor, Nico helps make every class a fun, engaging place to learn. His natural confidence and leadership have made him a standout in the CodeWizardsHQ community. It seems his instructor, Josh, agrees.
Nico started a saying in our class, saying he is “built different.” I really admire his confidence. He’s great at answering questions, and his confident, playful personality adds to the fun of the class. I always look forward to it, and Nico is a big reason why.
Josh Ennis, CodeWizardsHQ Instructor
