Jessica S.

Jessica is a high school junior at Pine Crest School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She is passionate about using technology to make a real difference in digital awareness and health-related advancements. She created Kids Learn Tech the summer before her sophomore year, a program that offers workshops on introductory coding in JavaScript and Python and safe internet usage for children. She later launched Seniors Learn Tech, a parallel program designed to help older adults build coding skills and learn how to navigate the internet safely, fostering intergenerational connection. Both programs operate under Tech 4 Now, a youth-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization Jessica founded to bridge the generational digital divide by providing free technology education and resources in English and Spanish to children and seniors from underserved communities. These programs have been implemented in libraries, schools, and community centers in Florida and across South America. The mission of Tech 4 Now is to create inclusive, bilingual spaces where all generations can build coding confidence, stay safe online, and thrive in today’s digital world. She is particularly proud of winning the 2024 Congressional App Challenge for Flip the Switch, a mental wellness app that incorporates advanced AI to improve emotional well-being through personalized features. As part of this honor, she was invited to present her app at #HouseOfCode at the U.S. Capitol, where she shared her work with members of Congress and fellow student innovators from across the country. She is also honored to have been named a Global Semifinalist in the 2024 Technovation Girls Challenge (top 10% of teams) for her platform, AuthentiCheck AI, which empowers teens to distinguish between accurate and AI-generated content in texts, images, and voices. She was selected to be a Technovation Student Ambassador, where she mentors other participants and inspires more girls to explore technology and its impactful real-world applications through the Technovation Girls Challenge. In April 2025, she served as a Technovation Community Leader, a stipend-awarded leadership role where she supported the global ambassador network by managing online events and resources to strengthen the community. She has also received her school's Computer Science Departmental Award for her outstanding achievements in the field, as well as the 2024 CyberStart America Bronze Award. This year, she earned 1st place with a near-perfect score of 47/48 in the Senior Division of the American Computer Science League (ACSL) at her school. Last year, she placed 2nd in the Intermediate Division and earned 1st place in her school during the ACSL finals. Last summer, Jessica participated in the Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) program, specifically in the Innovations in Science & Technology (IST) session, where she engaged in interactive lectures and seminars on science and technology, as well as a final capstone project, NeuroBridge: An Adaptive AI Application to Improve Autism Communication. She was also chosen to present AuthentiCheck AI at the YYGS Speaker Series to an audience of over 200 students and professors. In school, Jessica is the co-founder and co-president of Girls Who Code, where she encourages students to explore their interests in computer science and technology through activities that cover fields such as data and AI, cybersecurity, web development, art and animation, and more. She serves as co-chair of the Science National Honor Society Journal Club Committee, fostering scientific discussion and exploration among her peers. She is also the Fine Arts Editor of the yearbook and serves on the Student Advisory Committee, contributing to school initiatives and student representation. An accomplished singer, she founded her school's a cappella program, Pine Crest Voices, and is a vocalist in the Select Vocal and Honors Jazz Ensembles. She serves on the Executive Board of Tri-M Music Honor Society and has earned several Superior ratings, the highest possible, at the Florida Vocal Association District and State Solo and Ensemble competitions in the category of Solo Musical Theater. Outside of school, Jessica is actively engaged in several pursuits. She is involved in research at the Data Science and Computational Biology (DSaCB) Lab at the University of Miami, is a dedicated member of the Stanford Neuroscience Journal Club, and serves as a GoodforMEdia Youth Leader, an Alumni Ambassador for Yale Young Global Scholars, an UPchieve tutor, and a Teen Ambassador for the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. Jessica plans to pursue a degree in computer science or a related computational field, with a focus on artificial intelligence and its applications in biology, neuroscience, and mental health.