Programming and teaching!
Got book Python for the Absolute Beginner in middle school --> tried but too hard
A year later a family friend saw book on my shelf and helped me through getting started
In 10th grade built a tank game on my own. Wanted to keep adding features one after another and it got really exciting
Then started programming club in high school
First day brought line-following robot with 5 IR light sensors on bottom, and a black line circular track made of paper. I told people they were going to write the entire software over lunchtime.
They did, with my help.
THEY WERE HOOKED.
I saw that the beauty of programming need not be only solitary but that it could be social as well, that "programming" people can be just as fulfilling or maybe even more.
[todo] see my college essay