Screenshot from Sophia Academy's 2023 Hackathon entry
Sophia Academy’s team took first place at the MindBlast XR 2023 Hackathon sponsored by Winners Circle, a non-profit whose mission is to empower students in marginalized communities through access to cutting-edge technology and rigorous educational programs. Sophia fielded the only all-girl team in the competition and dedicated their April break to preparing for 2-3 hours a day. With the guidance of former trustee and Sophia dad Kobi Dennis, they researched a pressing social justice issue—poverty, food insecurity, and poor nutrition. They then collaborated with industry professional mentor Anthony Favorito to design a Virtual Reality project addressing this issue.
Juan Rodriguez, Winners Circle’s Executive Director, wrote: “We would like to extend our gratitude for giving us the opportunity to work with the exceptional students at Sophia Academy. Their passion, creativity, and commitment to making a difference in the world truly inspire us.”