Veer Kakar

My name is Veer Kakar, and I am a senior with a passion for Computer Science and community service. My entire life, I’ve been fascinated with the inner workings of everything around me; this is what fuels my enthusiasm for CS.
When it comes to community service, I like to take every opportunity I get to give back. From teaching taekwondo classes to the community to using my percussion skills to perform at senior centers, I am passionate about tapping into my talent and sharing with the community. One of the most rewarding activities for me has been mentoring younger students in programming fundamentals; I reached out to my public library, and for several years, I have taught these classes over the summer. I wanted to share my passion for CS the way my mentors once did for me, especially given that students in marginalized communities do not have early access to mentors in STEM.
I also pride myself on my collaboration and leadership skills. At OJR, I am the president of the Coding Crew club, where I more than doubled the club membership, introduced more girls to coding, and coached freshmen in coding competitions. Through this, I have developed invaluable skills in communication and goal-setting.
In the future, I will continue dedicating myself to improving the community around me. I see myself constantly striving to make the world a better place and improve the digital divide.