Keep Calm, and Code On

Karlie Kloss has got it all. A successful high-fashion modeling career, a pair of Victoria Secret Angel wings and a bustling cookie baking business. In addition, today Kloss announced the launch of a scholarship program for young girls with the Flatiron Pre-College Academy called Kode with Karlie.

Karlie Kloss

Kode with Karlie is a program for girls ages 13 to 18 in high school, focusing on the importance of coding in the world today. There are 20 available scholarships, 10 being in New York City and the other 10 in various locations including Austin, Chicago, and San Francisco. According to the website, girls who are interested in applying must make a 30 to 90 second video explaining why they want to learn to code and upload it to YouTube. Application deadline is May 1st and winners will be announced on May 10th.

For those who are not aware of what coding really is it’s the process of assigning a code to something for the purpose of classification or identification, commonly used in computer programming. I myself have thought about learning how to code for the sole purpose of knowing how to program a computer. It couldn’t hurt, right? I am immersed in social media on a daily basis. My iPhone and laptop have become my dearest friends (still wondering if that’s normal), so, perhaps learning the coding ropes could go hand-in-hand?

Obviously, I am out of the age range to apply for this program, but it sounds interesting enough. From a PR standpoint, Flatiron was smart to partner with a fresh, young and current celebrity such as Kloss so they can easily grab the attention of young girls who aspire to code. Plus, what high school girl wouldn’t want to work along side a runway model and learn a skill they’re passionate about? To me, it’s an example of a celebrity endorsement done correctly.

I think it’s important to instill in girls that they can do whatever they put their minds to, and if computer programing is something they wish to pursue then there should be no limitations. Best of luck to all the young women who apply to the program and tell Karlie I say hello!

Always, Meg