Coding is a passion for Reece Ochitwa, a Grade 12 student at Bert Church High School (BCHS) in Airdrie. She founded the Bert Church Coders in September 2024 to bring like-minded students with an interest in computer science and coding together to practice their skills, learn new coding languages and collaborate on projects.

Ochitwa developed a love for coding early – she was introduced to coding through the STEAM club at Heloise Lorimor School. Her interest in the subject was nurtured by teachers at the elementary school and she also taught herself many of the skills needed to write good code.

Ochitwa saw a gap in resources for students who have an interest in computer science/coding and the  space in which to get together. The Bert Church Coders was born and Ochitwa says she hopes to ignite a passion for coding in other students and use her skills and knowledge to improve her community. The Club introduces students to a subject that can be somewhat intimidating and facilitates problem-solving, resiliency and math skills in the students who participate. Ochitwa says her goal is to make it a fun, informative space – the club meets every Thursday at lunch time.

The first projects the club members tackled was writing code to produce their own personal websites using HTML and CSS coding languages, which Ochitwa says are relatively simple. Next up was developing simple games using Javascript. In the future, plans are to branch out to another coding language, Python, to write more complex games. The Club will also be featured during the BCHS Pep Rally in the spring and participate in a hackathon with other clubs from Calgary.

The Bert Church Coders is not the only school activity Ochitwa is involved in; she’s also a member of the PBIS Student Advisory Council, the Debate Club and the Student Leadership Club. She has been recognized for scoring 100 per cent on a diploma exam. After she graduates in June, she intends to study computer science in university and ultimately become a software developer.

Ochitwa’s hope is that she can find someone to take over the club after she’s graduated and moved on. It will be a fitting legacy for this amazing RVS student.