At CodeWizardsHQ, we’re always inspired by students who take the initiative, dive into coding, and grow their skills with determination and curiosity. This month, we’re excited to introduce you to Louis, an 8th-grade student from Canada, whose journey into the world of programming started with a spark of interest from an introduction to coding at school.
A Self-Started Spark
Louis’s interest in coding started all on his own. His mom remembered, “Louis asked to learn coding. We don’t have coding backgrounds.”
Louis still remembers exactly when the coding bug bit him. “In 6th grade, there was a program called Callisto, and they came to our school, and they taught basic coding lessons. I won a competition,” he said. It wasn’t just a moment of fun; it lit a spark. He didn’t come from a tech-heavy family, but he had a feeling that this was something he was good at and more than that, something he enjoyed.
Finding CodeWizardsHQ
When Louis’s curiosity took the lead, his mom began searching for the right program. “I did a Google search and tried to find him a good program,” she shared. “I just looked at the customer reviews, and CodeWizards has quite good feedback.” So, with no background in programming themselves, Louis’s family supported him in signing up for his very first coding course—with CodeWizardsHQ.
“At the time, I was just wanting to learn how to make a game,” he said. That simple curiosity led him to request coding classes and now, just two years later, he’s advanced through four CodeWizardsHQ courses.
From Python Basics to Capstone Projects
Louis has completed Intro to Python, Beyond Basics with Python, Webpages with HTML and CSS, and even a Capstone Course. He is currently in his fifth course, Responsive Web Development. When asked which projects stood out, Louis said, “I’ve enjoyed all the projects that we’ve made.”
Louis mentioned that his Capstone Course projects were the ones that stood out most, hinting at the more advanced and creative work students accomplish in these courses. Capstone Courses solidify learning and allow students to deepen their understanding of programming concepts with cumulative, exciting projects after each Wizard Level.
When asked which language he preferred, Louis didn’t hesitate: “I prefer Python… it feels more like coding compared to HTML.” That preference makes sense. Louis is drawn to logical challenges. He has enjoyed learning the foundational elements of Python, such as printing and if-else statements.
Looking Ahead: JavaScript, Engineering, and Possibilities
Right now, Louis is looking forward to learning JavaScript. He’s excited about how JavaScript will open a whole new level of creativity and interactivity for his websites with dynamic features like pop-ups, animations, and interactive buttons.
Though he’s still figuring out what his future career might be, he’s open to the idea of engineering. “My parents are probably planning for me to become an engineer,” he said.
Life Outside the Code
Louis isn’t all coding, all the time. He’s a regular 8th-grade student who enjoys math and science. “Math has mostly just been numbers, but I feel like algebra has been entertaining,” he said. Louis shared that he also enjoys the lab work in his science classes.
When he’s not in school or coding, you can probably find him playing video games. His favorites are first-person shooter games. Louis also likes to get outside, especially when it involves camping trips. “We normally go to Banff National Park,” he said. He also hikes with his dad.
Being based in Canada, Louis is no stranger to cold. Reflecting on the recent winter, he said, “It was minus 20 for quite a long time. It just came up to 0.” But he and his family also enjoy traveling, especially road trips to the U.S. “Las Vegas, Utah, and the West Coast,” Louis listed. When asked what feels different about crossing the border, he had a very Canadian answer: “Metric and imperial systems are very different.”
A Strong Start to a Promising Journey
There’s something impressive about the way Louis approaches coding, with focus, consistency, and a genuine drive to improve. He puts in the work, builds his skills with purpose, and continues to grow with every course he takes. His projects reflect not just what he’s learned but also how far he’s come. From winning his very first coding competition in 6th grade to progressing through four CodeWizardsHQ courses, Louis has built a strong foundation in programming, especially in Python, where he thrives with logic and problem-solving.
As always, we’re thankful for students like Louis and families who support their interests, even when it means stepping into something completely new. Thank you, Louis, for being part of the CodeWizardsHQ community. We’re so glad you found us.
Louis is a very hardworking student with strong problem-solving and logical thinking skills. He often works ahead during class and consistently goes above and beyond on his projects. You can tell he really takes the time to understand the material, and he’s always focused and engaged.
Josh Ennis, CodeWizardsHQ Instructor
