GirlGeek of the Week
August 1999

Melissa Sconyers

I just turned 15, and I am located in Austin, Texas. I am the Founder/ President of ativity inc. Activity started mainly as a graphic and web design business but is growing quickly and reaching into new areas of work. I am also the Co-President of EasyBanners Inc., which is run by one of my best online friends who is the same age as I, but of course a guy.

My most recent project is developing a Web site for an educational contest called ThinkQuest (www.thinkquest.org). My team's subject is eBiz4Teens (eB4T). The prizes for the contest include scholarships of up to $25,000. This summer I was invited to go to TechSchool 2000, in Kingston, Jamaica. I am leaving in two weeks, and staying for two weeks. I will be teaching Web Design and Graphic Design while I am there, as well as taking some classes myself. I'm really excited to be going.

I was also selected to be featured in a FamilyPC article about teen entrepreneurs. I believe I was the only girl featured. I am also the youngest member of WITI, and I attend all of the Austin Chapter meetings. I encourage fellow GirlGeeks to find a local chapter near them. Attending WITI meetings has earned me many great contacts, through the valuable networking oppurtunites that the meetings offer.

I have been home schooled since 7th grade, and I am currently a Junior in High School. I will graduate in December 2000, two years early, at age 16. My favorite subjects are English, and of course Computers. I plan to attend the University of Texas at Austin, and major in Communications. And as I always say, you are a true geek when your computer books outweigh you...Therefore, I am.

When did you first discover your love and/or obsession with computers and technology?

I knew where the "Spacebar" and "Enter" keys were on the keyboard at about 3 months! I have loved computers as long as I can remember, but I began using them seriously at about age 10 (when I started my first business). Now I'm on the computer and online nearly 24/7!

How do you earn a living?

The beauty of being a 15 year old entrepreneur is that I don't have to earn a living, but the money I make is either saved up for college and/or a car or spent on the latest and greatest computer stuff.

Do you consider yourself a Geek?

Of COURSE!

What is your favorite Web site?

I have so many favorites! I really love the Girl Geeks? site, its great to finally have a site dedicated to the female geeks of the world! HotBot.com and Google.com are my favorite search engines, and I also spend a LOT of time at Wired.com, WebMonkey.com, and HotWired.com.

What do you do when you are not working?

I am a competitive inline speed skater, and I practice five times a week at the local skating rink. I also love listening to music (mostly Rap, R&B, and Hip Hop), spending time online chatting with my (predominately male) geek friends, and relaxing with my skating team at Trudy's restaraunt (www.trudys.com). When at home (and not at the computer or on the phone), I can be found reading my favorite books by Douglas Adams (Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy) or my Baby Blues comic book collection.