Diana Balderas is a 18 year old senior at Golden Valley High School who was named California’s 23rd Congressional District winner of the 2017 Congressional App Challenge for her creation of Food Distribution, a hunger-prevention app. With the help of a research program she was involved last summer at the University of Southern California, she learned how to create mobile applications in a 1-on-1 mentorship from a PhD student. Recently, she was also awarded a gold medal and scholarship, sponsored by Google, from the Hispanic Heritage Foundation in late-November 2017. Not only is she dedicated in her work, but she is also contributing in her community by running a Girls Who Code club for middle school girls to promote young women in STEM by teaching them the basic skills of computer programming. By spreading awareness about STEM, she is a writer for Clover Letter, a community newsletter to inform and empower girls everywhere with inspirational stories. In addition, Balderas is involved with Technolochicas, Kode With Klossy, Girls Who Code, NCWIT, and the Hispanic Heritage Foundation. From the inspiration from her father who is a mechanical engineer, he motivated her to pursue a degree in computer science and engineering in college. Currently, she is working on starting her own non-profit organization dedicated for minorities in STEM. Her purpose is to help minorities get recognition for their skills and seek opportunities in the community. Diana is also working on her second mobile application dedicated for young girls and women. As an upcoming college-bound student, she is hoping to manage projects dedicated to Latinas and the community to make a difference of how minorities are underrepresented in STEM.
Facilitator @GirlsWhoCode
Encouraging and inspiring Latinas through my STEM experiences could develop an effective movement towards being a role model in my Hispanic community. Investing my passion for learning and mentoring can give Latinas the tools they need to succeed in life. With that, Latinas could find their passion and could be open to different opportunities as leaders of the future.
