At just 18 years old, Briana Berger has founded an international nonprofit organization and coded an Android app.
Her goal is to change the world through computer code.
The F.W. Buchholz High School senior’s impressive resume has led her to be named one of 150 Coca-Cola Scholars nationwide out of more than 90,000 applicants, according to the company’s website. She learned she made the list and got a $20,000 scholarship Feb. 27.
“Anything is possible as long as you set your mind to it, and people are more than willing to help you get there,” she said.
In October, Berger applied for the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, which is in its 30th year. She filled out an extensive application listing her activities inside and outside of school, athletics and community service.
After writing four essays, she went to Atlanta, where she was interviewed by a panel of three judges. On April 18, the scholars will be flown back to the city for the 2018 Scholars Weekend, where they will be honored.
She plans to study computer science when she attends Stanford University this fall. She wants to become the CEO of her own company and publish a couple books after she graduates college.
So far, she has used her coding skills to create a free Android app, “SleepBeep,” that helps stop drivers from falling asleep by taking logic tests to measure their level of tiredness.
Berger is also the president of the Buchholz High School Robotics Team and president of the Math Honors Society.
Since she transferred from Florida Virtual School to Buchholz as a sophomore in 2016, she has founded two organizations.
She’s the CEO of coderGirls, an international, nonprofit organization with more than 40 chapters in 10 countries that reaches out to empower and educate girls in computer science.
She also created a local organization called “SeniorTechNet” which helps educate senior citizens about technology.
Kathleen Albritton, Berger’s sophomore chemistry honors teacher, said Berger excelled in class, winning Albritton’s chemistry award in 2016. Despite being a quiet student, whenever Berger asked a question, it was carefully thought out. It kept Albritton on her toes, she said.
“I’m just so proud of her as a student and as a young lady,” Albritton said. “She’s just driven. She keeps at it until she figures it out.”
Briana Berger, an 18-year-old F.W. Buchholz High School senior, is one of 150 students who won a $20,000 scholarship from the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. More than 90,000 students applied.
