[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 72 (Wednesday, April 30, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Page S2711]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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       TRIBUTE TO MEENAKSHI DWARAKA AND SALOME CASTILLO VALENCIA

 Ms. HASSAN. Mr. President, I am honored to recognize Meenakshi 
Dwaraka and Salome Castillo Valencia of Nashua as April's Granite 
Staters of the Month for their work to establish a free coding class 
for local elementary school students.
  Both Meenakshi, 16, and Salome, 17, were interested in coding from a 
young age. Meenakshi's dad, a computer scientist, first inspired her to 
develop digital skills, and she quickly realized that she enjoyed 
competing in coding competitions. Salome learned how to build websites 
and code during the Covid-19 pandemic and has continued to improve her 
skills and even sell websites that she has created. The girls, who met 
in sixth grade, noticed that there were not many opportunities to learn 
computer skills until students entered high school, despite the 
increasing importance of the field. They decided to help fill this gap 
by starting a free coding class for students in third grade through 
fifth grade so that kids from all backgrounds could learn the basics of 
coding from a young age.
  The class, which Meenakshi and Salome teach at their local community 
center in Nashua, has grown over the weeks. When they first started 
offering the class, they didn't have very many students, but over time, 
they have seen an increase in attendance and interest. Students from 
different high schools in the area have also reached out to ask for 
help in starting their own classes and expanding the program. Students 
in the class learn block coding, basic robotics, and computer safety, 
giving students the opportunity to learn skills that will eventually 
help them compete in the 21st century economy.
  Meenakshi and Salome's dedication to increasing access to computer 
skills is an excellent example of the Granite State spirit of sharing 
knowledge in order to empower others. Their commitment to helping 
students from all backgrounds prepare for the future--and have fun--is 
why I am glad to name them April's Granite Staters of the 
Month.

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