At the ripe old age of 16, high school junior Mary Adegbesan has already accomplished a lot.

She is a published author and the founder of her own nonprofit and has been honored nationally by WOMEN IN TECH® North America as a Global Teen Winner & Global Aspiring Teen Finalist. Additionally, she was a national winner in the 2025 National US Center For Women In Technology Aspirations in Computing and a Girls Who Code X CPB 20 Girls Under 20 Honoree. Mary will also be a TED X Third Ward 2025 Speaker in March 2025.

But she wants to do more – to help bring coding to the underserved – not just locally, but around the world.

Adegbesan, who attends an online private high school called Laurel Springs, is deeply involved in coding and technology-focused initiatives. She is the founder and president of a Girls Who Code club, where she strives to cultivate a supportive, welcoming environment for young women interested in technology. Through hands-on workshops and collaborative projects, she aims to encourage more girls to embrace coding and see themselves as future leaders in the tech industry.

In 2017, when Adegbesan was nine, her family immigrated to the United States from Lagos, Nigeria, in search of greater educational opportunities. “My parents made the courageous decision to move our family—myself, my five siblings, and them—to Texas, drawn by its excellent academic institutions, rich cultural diversity, and promising pathways for growth and advancement. Over the past eight years, we have built a life here, navigating the balance between embracing new experiences and holding onto the deep-rooted traditions of our Nigerian heritage.”

Soon afterward, Adegbesan became interested in coding. ”I still remember my very first computer science class like it was yesterday,” she said.” It was a sixth-grade computer science and programming elective, and while I knew next to nothing about programming, I walked into that classroom filled with excitement, curiosity—and a bit of nervousness. Little did my 11-year-old self know that being one of only three girls in a class of twenty would mark the beginning of an incredible journey—a journey into the boundless world of computer science.”

As a naturally curious child, Adegbesan had always been fascinated by technology: how websites functioned, how games were built, how apps responded to a user’s touch. “But when I first encountered coding, I realized something transformative—I could create rather than just consume,” she said. “My first experience with programming was through Python, and as I experimented with simple projects, I quickly came to see coding not as a rigid set of instructions but as a tool for creativity, problem-solving, and innovation. That realization sparked a passion that has shaped the trajectory of my life ever since.”

As she delved deeper into computer science, Adegbesan became acutely aware of the vast disparities in access to technology education. “While I had the privilege of discovering coding through school and

online resources, I met countless students—both in my local community and beyond—who were eager to learn but lacked the tools, mentorship, or exposure necessary to do so,” she said.

“One defining moment came when I began tutoring younger students in coding. Many had never been introduced to programming, not because they lacked interest, but simply because they didn’t have access to a computer or didn’t realize that learning to code was even an option for them. Seeing their enthusiasm, curiosity, and untapped potential made it clear to me that access to technology education should not be a privilege—it should be a right. That realization became the foundation of CTRL Code, a movement dedicated to ensuring that every student, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to explore and thrive in the world of technology.” Adegbesan was so passionate about coding that she formed CTRL Code (ctrlcode.org), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded to ensure that underrepresented youth—especially those from communities like hers—have access to technology and educational resources.

Since its inception, CTRL Code has reached over 400+ students globally, providing free coding workshops, mentorship programs, and access to STEM resources, she said. “Our work has been recognized and supported by Google, Code.org, and other industry leaders, and in 2024, Google awarded us a $50,000 grant to expand our initiatives over the next three years,” she said.

CTRL Code offers a variety of free programs, including:

· Virtual coding classes/camps – Multi-week online programs where students learn Python, JavaScript, and AI fundamentals.

· Hackathons – Collaborative events where students tackle real-world challenges through coding.

· Mentorship programs – Pairing students with seasoned mentors who provide guidance, support, and industry insights.

“CTRL Code was built on the idea that talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not,” Adegbesan said. “I know firsthand what it means to seek better educational opportunities, and I want to ensure that every student—regardless of background—has the chance to explore the world of technology. Through CTRL Code, we are bridging educational gaps by offering free coding boot camps, hackathons, and mentorship programs, giving students the tools they need to break barriers and pursue careers in technology.”

In 2024, Adegbesan authored and self-published “Coding Unplugged: An Offline Guide to Python Programming,” a book designed to teach programming to students without reliable internet access. All of the proceeds support CTRL Code’s mission, and the book is currently being distributed to communities in Houston, Katy, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Nigeria, and beyond.

After high school, Adegbesan plans to pursue a degree in computer science and education while continuing to expand CTRL Code’s reach. “My long-term goal is to develop scalable, tech-driven solutions that bridge educational gaps and create opportunities for underrepresented communities,” she said. “Opportunity should never be a privilege—it should be a fundamental right. No matter where you come