TRIBUTE TO MEENAKSHI DWARAKA AND SALOME CASTILLO VALENCIA

On 2025-04-30, Senator Margaret Wood Hassan (D-NH) delivered a floor speech titled "TRIBUTE TO MEENAKSHI DWARAKA AND SALOME CASTILLO VALENCIA" in the Senate.

TRIBUTE TO MEENAKSHI DWARAKA AND SALOME CASTILLO VALENCIA

Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 72 (Wednesday, April 30, 2025) [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 ______ 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. ____________________