Kelly, 29 years old

Wish submitted by:

Kelly is currently in her last year studying computer science at California State University, Long Beach. Ever since she was younger, she was always fascinated with technology. Going as far as asking her family friends to present to her what they were working on as a computer engineer and teaching herself web development without realizing at the time that she was actually programming. It only seemed natural to her to pursue software engineering. As a young woman, she’s accomplished more than a lot of her peers. Kelly has landed a full-time software engineering role a year before graduation, she’s been interviewed for a New York Times article, and she’s currently a mentor for the two largest computing clubs on campus. However, it wasn’t an easy journey for her. Kelly had to put herself through college by working at least two jobs, has faced food scarcity and homelessness, and continues to struggle to find her place as a disabled woman in a male-dominated field.

As Kelly will become the first person in her family to graduate college, she would like to commemorate her hard work by receiving something her parents didn’t give her as a young child - recognition. Kelly would like to request graduation photos. The photos would serve as a reminder to keep pursuing what she loves, no matter how difficult it may get.