StackLeague Featured Programmer: DANIELLE BAGAFORO MEER

By StackLeague Team / August 19, 2021 / features
People are meant to overcome challenges that will help them grow and acquire certain skills. Doing the best of one’s capabilities in every challenge is the greatest asset of our next featured programmer who aspires to become one of the best programmers in the Philippines.

Danielle Bagaforo Meer, a Grade 12 Software Development student at iACADEMY NEXUS, believes  that becoming a programmer is a lifelong journey, and that there is always something new to discover in programming. Get to know more about the 2021 Grand Champion of StackLeague.

**Course and School**

Grade 12 Software Development student at iACADEMY NEXUS

**What is the first programming language you learned?**

C++

**How long have you been coding?**

I wrote my first lines of code in the program "hello world" back in 2019 when I was still a grade 11 software development student at iACADEMY, Guided by my professor, Sir Bon Jorelle Domingo.  He taught me the fundamentals through the programming language c++.    Through iACADEMY’s Game Changing Education,  I was introduced to the Fundamentals of Computer Programming, Object-Oriented Programming, Data Structures, GUIS, and even Game Development. All of those during my time as a grade 11 student 

**Walk us through your day. What's a typical day like for you?**

As an 18-year-old teenager, I am in the process of transitioning from adolescence to adulthood. I am starting to realize my true potential in the Tech Industry and I have the whole world ahead of me! As Always, I challenge myself in Solving Algorithmic Challenges I have yet to conquer so I can add them to my ever-growing collection of Algorithms at Challenge sites like Codewars, Project Euler, LeetCode, and StackLeague. 
When I am not busy conquering Algorithmic Challenges, I study Data Science at DataCamp and make a goal for myself to finish one course per day with the hopes of one day being able to perform well in Machine Learning Competitions and use my talent in Algorithms to Create Powerful Predictive Models.

**How do you improve your programming skills?**

I do my best in every challenge I face and if it's not enough, I let myself fail because humility is an important part of the journey of becoming the best in your craft. Only then will I come back stronger with a new approach under my sleeves that may be the right solution to the problem I'm about to conquer.

**How did you learn about StackLeague?**

I learned about StackLeague through advertisements on Facebook during March 2021.  

**What was your motivation in joining StackLeague?**

It is a privilege to learn about a hidden talent I have in Problem Solving and Algorithms which was proven when I became the first-ever Champion of StackLeague. This year, I want to take advantage of it and Defend my Title as the Champion. Another motivation I always have for StackLeague is that it's a platform for like-minded programmers such as myself. People who are passionate about taking their skills to the next level and inspiring others to do the same.

**What are the benefits you've gained so far in joining StackLeague?**

StackLeague has given me a lot of opportunities. This Tournament has helped me discover my talent in Problem Solving and Algorithms which gave me a surge of newfound confidence in myself as a programmer and that one day I may accomplish my dream of becoming the best programmer in the Philippines. Another Benefit I gained from Stackleague was from last year’s Cash prize that I received from the tournament. I used some of it to invest more in skills and my dream career by enrolling at DataCamp.

**What are your league strategies that you can share which your fellow StackLeague contestants can learn from?**

Never Give Up!

**With young ones looking up to you as a programmer, what is the advice you wished someone told you about, and want to share to others?**

I realized that becoming a better programmer is a lifelong journey. There is always something new to discover out there. Therefore I suggest that you should enjoy the journey of becoming better and watch every opportunity unfold before your eyes. Stay Curious to have a broader perspective and be Humble to be teachable.
PRACTICE

FAQS
