On September 13–14, Skyline College students joined peers from CSU East Bay, Chabot, and Diablo Valley Colleges for MESA U Hacks 2.0, a hackathon planned by students, for students. Skyline students not only competed but also helped organize the event, gaining new skills, confidence, and connections along the way.
For Skyline College MESA students Jhoselin Escobar Rodriguez and Noel Amankrah-Bonsu, it was not only their first hackathon, but also their first time stepping into the role of event organizers. They met regularly with MESA students from Chabot College, Diablo Valley College, and East Bay MESA University students and staff during August and September to plan the event. “Being part of the CSU East Bay MESA U Hackathon Committee was an enriching and unforgettable experience, especially since it was my first time joining an event like this,” said Jhoselin, a computer science major. “I learned how challenging it is to organize a workshop and prepare truly helpful materials, while also meeting people with similar interests and learning alongside them. Next time, I’d love to experience the excitement from the other side by participating as a hacker.”
For Noel, a data science major, the experience brought both nerves and growth. “Not only was it my first Hackathon, but it was also my first time mentoring at a Hackathon as well. Being able to meet amazing people in the CSUEB MESA Hackathon Committee was definitely a reward in itself, as well as working on schedules, prizes, workshops, and ensuring that everyone had a role to play. I got to showcase a Data Science portion of the Python workshop, which was very exciting to participate in, considering that one of the categories was Best Data Visualization. I recommend anyone to take the chance on being a Mentor or a Hacker, as each side has a separate learning experience that comes from being involved in a Hackathon.”
While some Skyline students organized, others dove into the competition. Computer science majors Samanta Chang and Elena Carrasco teamed up with East Bay students Sruthi Munaga and Sabina Chauhan to form Team Coda—the only all-female team in the competition. Their collaboration earned them the award for Best Pitch.
“It was a fun experience,” said Sam. “It was unexpected to meet Elena, a fellow Peruvian, all the way here in California. I’m not good at public speaking or speaking in general, so winning Best Pitch is a little boost in confidence.” For Elena, the experience was equally meaningful. “Our project name, Coda, came from the idea that in Spanish we use the letter ‘a to represent the feminine, so we wanted it to show that we were women in tech. Beyond winning Best Pitch, the best part was everything we learned together, the laughs we shared, and building a project designed to make learning fun among friends.”
Their teammates reflected on similar growth. “I enjoyed it!” said Sruthi. “A lot of the apprehension I felt was about whether or not I would feel like I was part of the team I worked with, and I am super lucky and thankful I got to work with the people I did. I’m glad that I had no reason to be nervous.” Sabina echoed that sentiment: “I was really nervous at the start. However, the more I got to know my teammates and we shared our technical knowledge, I realized how much fun it is to meet people and collaborate with them. Meeting my teammates, with whom I hope to continue connecting, and winning the best pitch made pushing myself into unfamiliar territory all worthwhile!”
For Joyce Tsai, another Skyline student and a member of Team Jellyverse, the hackathon was a leap into the unknown. “I walked into this hackathon having no idea what to expect and was very hesitant about participating leading up to it. However, I believe it was a worthwhile experience to see what a hackathon was truly about, to meet new people, and to witness everyone’s creative ideas come to life through the magic of coding and teamwork.”
From planning to pitching, Skyline students showed what’s possible when they step out of their comfort zones—and into collaboration. Thank you to CSU East Bay MESA University students. Director Travis Nelson, and Program Coordinator Cherlyn Romarri for organizing and hosting the event.
Photos by Wail Mohammed
