When Da’Maury Olsen, Richmond Cohort 7, started our Intensive Immersion Program, he said he was not “good at math and computer stuff.” After seven weeks into the program, however, he was able to confidently code his own website and would later go on to create his own video game. In addition to his new passion for coding, Da’Maury credits The Hidden Genius Project for helping to hone his skills in open and honest communication. This fall, Da’Maury is set to attend California State University, San Jose, where he plans to study Psychology, with aspirations of becoming a therapist.
How have you been? (With life? With Family? With school? Work?)
I have been exhausted with my senior year and dealing with college stuff. Leading up to graduation, I was trying to relax and chill. But my school pushed me to apply for more scholarships at the last minute. It was tiring but I am glad I did it. I got one $1,500 scholarship already with Richmond Promise, in addition to scholarships from San Jose State. I am waiting to hear back from the rest. I’ve been bored since graduating on June 12, since I’m still looking for a job while maintaining a steady home life. But overall, I am happy at where I am at, and I am relaxing before I start my Psychology studies in the fall.
How did you first learn about The Hidden Genius Project?
The Hidden Genius Project came to my school. They introduced the idea of getting paid to learn, so it intrigued me to sign up. Also, there were a few of my friends who told me about The Hidden Genius Project, since they were in the fifth and sixth Richmond cohorts. While I was excited to get paid, I was nervous because I wasn’t good at math and computer stuff. On the first day of programming, I was really confused. After the first week, I was starting to feel more confident and hopeful. By the end of the first summer, I was able to use code to create my own website.
What was your experience in the program like (with Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and/or Technology)? What did you enjoy? Program highlights?
My experience was great and fun. There were so many stories being thrown around about certain little things. We connected with each other over our shared experiences in Richmond schools, and I was able to give wisdom to the younger brothers in my cohort since I was one of the older ones. But also the way my brothers and I were holding each other accountable with our tech creation and seeing the bigger outcome. One highlight is the talks we would have with Brother James Green (Pedagogy Coordinator and Cohort Oakland 4 Alum). He inspired me with his talks about leadership roles and why they are important.
Tell me about some of the challenges you’ve faced while in The Hidden Genius Project? How did you overcome them?
When I started at The Hidden Genius Project, I had just moved into my Grandma’s house after being homeless for 6 months. So I was in a weird spot at the time. But when I came with my brothers, they made me feel less alone again. My brothers and the staff at The Hidden Genius Project were a support system for me, and I was able to talk to my fellow Geniuses about my situation.
Describe the final project you created during your time in the Immersion Program.
My final project was a horror game that included Brother Andrew Pope (Richmond Alumni Engagement Coordinator) chasing the player around the game. At first, Andrew wasn’t sure about being in the game, but after I showed it to him, he thought it was funny and liked it. The process of creating the game was difficult, but I had help and patience on my side. For me, seeing my final project showed how much I grew while in the program.
How is The Hidden Genius Project different from other mentorship or training experiences that you have been involved in?
One of the things I learned was how to communicate about difficult circumstances. I learned to communicate my feelings and things happening in my personal life to my Educators, which was something I struggled with before the program. Being in programming forced me to pick up that skill. I also learned to be independent. When I fell behind in my learning, I became a self-starter who learned to balance my priorities and set aside time to finish my Immersion tasks.
But most importantly, I gained mutual respect for and from my brothers. We were able to grow alongside each other and achieve our goals,despite coming from different backgrounds and being different ages. While not all of our goals were the same, they were similar, as I strove to be a pillar in my community that creates better outcomes while learning tech creation. That was the most important thing to me.
How do you think your path might have been different if you hadn’t participated in The Hidden Genius Project?
I would probably be doing things I have no business doing. Back then, I was not motivated and I was not in a good place. But now, I see myself in an uplifted mindset. The Hidden Genius Project set me up for the future, and I have no clue what I would be doing if it were not for them. I truly appreciate The Hidden Genius Project for giving me the opportunity to become the man I am today. That man communicates well compared to before programming, when I would barely say anything. Now, I am able to communicate my boundaries and feelings.
I have grown so much as a communicator that my high school made me an unofficial spokesperson for them. They would have me speak in front of the board, staff, parents, and my peers. I knew they selected me because I could communicate in a confident and unfiltered way, and I am only like this thanks to The Hidden Genius Project.
In what ways has the staff of The Hidden Genius Project continued to support you since graduating from the program?
On top of staying in touch with my RICH7 cohort, I always kept in contact with Andrew Pope because he is my college advisor. He helped with a lot of questions I had for college applications and finding me scholarships. Andrew really helped me stay accountable and responsible when applying to college, as he would send me many reminders to schedule meetings with him and sign me up for workshops.
If you could talk to yourself just before you applied, what is one thing you would say?
Focus on every small detail in coding because it is an essential skill. Noticing the small details like the errors and how to fix them will make things a lot easier. Attention to detail makes fixing the syntax easier too.
What words of encouragement do you have for future Geniuses?
You always come first, no matter what. Begin putting yourself in situations that could make you better. Also, don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Since 2012, nearly 11,400 students have revealed their genius through our Immersion, Catalyst, and Community Partner Programs, and so many more are waiting to shine.
HELP NEW GENIUSES STEP INTO THE SPOTLIGHT.
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