Hello!
My name is Ashley-Maree Salacup, but you can call me Ashley. I was born in the Philippines and raised in the United States, spending my childhood in South Carolina and New York City. I’ve always had a deep love for the performing arts, even attending a performing arts high school, so it's a bit of a surprise that I ended up in Computer Science! After switching through a few majors, I took a shot at Computer Engineering because I was curious about coding. Once I gave it a try, I quickly fell in love with it.
Although I've only been coding for a year, my passion has continued to grow. What drew me to CS was my love for video games. I was fascinated by how these games were made and wanted to dive into the coding behind them. Even though the field can be challenging, and there are moments when I feel like giving up, the support from friends and the CS community has helped me push through. What excites me most about Computer Science is the endless possibilities it offers—whether it's building something from scratch or figuring out a problem, there's always something new to learn. I believe anyone can succeed in Computer Science, no matter their background or experience.
Coming from a performing arts background, I understand what it feels like to be an outsider in a field. But I’ve learned that with curiosity and the right support, you can thrive. I want others to know that they, too, have the potential to do well in CS, regardless of where they start. Inclusivity in this field is important because everyone brings something unique to the table, and diversity makes tech better for everyone. Outside of coding and gaming, I’m still a theater kid at heart, and I love expressing myself through performance. I’m excited to share my journey with you all and hope to inspire others to pursue their passions in Computer Science, just as I did!