Recently, Nicholas Sandjada, an eight grader took home the consolation prize for the Python Olympiads 2025. In an interview with GEMA—who hosted the competition—Sandjada opened up and shared insights about his thoughts, interests, and experience regarding the Python Olympiads.
As someone who claims to be creative with technology, Nicholas had developed an interest in programming since he was ten which led him to take part in coding classes which only made him love it more.
“I wanted to challenge myself.”
Nicholas said his motivation for joining the competition was his desire to challenge his own skills by competing with others that loved coding just as much as him. For preparations, Nicholas practiced coding problems, reviewed his Python basics and applied them to his own programs and also learned new skills for his project entirely overcoming his biggest problem of figuring out how to make his project easy to understand.
He talked about his love for variables, operations, loops, and conditional programs to make his projects better even confessing that coding the order of operations for his project was his proudest moment during the contest.
Tech Role Model
Apart from coding, Nicholas plays the piano, reads and enjoys solving math problems.
His biggest inspiration is Steve Jobs, whose creativity and technology has significantly changed the world. Winning this Olympiad for Nicholas has helped him learn to do better and take on bigger challenges and also strengthen his resolve to become a future programmer and make educational apps to help students learn math in fun ways.
In the future, he sees himself pursuing this path in higher studies, building new software and even starting his own tech company.
A Word With The Parents
Nicholas’ mother revealed that his interest in solving problems and curiosity about computers even as a child was very evident. By elementary school, he was already building robots out of legos and eventually his interest in coding led him to join coding classes for Python.
As supportive parents, they have always provided him with the time and resources needed to enhance his skills and learn more about programming. Even when faced with challenges, his parents have always encouraged him to keep trying.
“We maintain a balanced schedule by giving him space, giving him time for school work, coding and also arrange time for practicing the piano.”, said his mother, “Also, don’t forget for relaxation and family time.”
Conclusion
Nicholas’ mother believes his persistence and curiosity and ability to focus is most important and his experience in competitions like this will not only build his problem solving skills but also grow his confidence and creativity.
With heartfelt congratulations and the best wishes for his future, the interview wrapped up with Nicholas’ advice to young coders like him looking forward to joining the Python Olympiads next year being, “Practice every day. Don’t give up when you face a difficult problem and enjoy the process of learning.”