Two contributors join Wagtail for Google Summer of Code 2024
We're thrilled to have two great projects going for Google Summer of Code this year
Two proposals for Wagtail CMS were accepted by Google Summer of Code this year. This year, our contributors are continuing to focus on some of our core efforts in accessibility and sustainability. One project will focus on establishing a better method for handling alt text within Wagtail. The other will focus on creating templates that incorporate sustainable web development practices.
Let's meet our two contributors for 2024.
Chiemezuo Akujobi
Our first contributor is Chiemezuo Akujobi from Abuja, Nigeria. He first encountered code through Processing.org. He started learning more about code through their exercises and dug into Java, the language behind them. After learning some more languages and frameworks and tools, Chiemezuo started investigating open source contributions as a way to level up his career. He made his first contributions to Wagtail while applying for an Outreachy internship. When he didn't get the internship, he came back and applied successfully to Google Summer of Code.
Chiemezuo's project will focus on developing better alt text capabilities for Wagtail CMS. The current default provides developers with a lot of flexibility, but it can be hard for them to know what the best ways to set up alt text are. Chiemezuo will be building and testing opportunities to incorporate more accessibility best practices for alt text into Wagtail.
"I'm looking forward to the collaboration and the idea of being a part of something that millions of users will directly or indirectly benefit from," he says. "There's honestly so much to learn from, and so many people willing to guide me down the best learning path, and this is super exciting."
When Chiemezuo isn't coding, he enjoys going for long walks, reading non-fiction books, spending time with friends, and working out at the gym. If you ever get a chance to visit Chiemezuo in Nigeria, he will take you out to eat and to visit Nigeria's local museums. He says the soups and Jollof rice are especially tasty.
Nandini Arora
Our second contributor Nandini Arora will be joining us from Varnasai, India. Her first programming language was also Java and she really enjoyed building programs and seeing how the logic worked in software. She first got involved in open source through the programming club at her college. This was the first time she collaborated on software with other people, and it was a bit of an adjustment.
For her project, Nandini will be creating Wagtail templates that have sustainable code practices built into them. Even seasoned software engineers don't always understand the carbon impact their coding choices have. So Nandini's project will provide resources for developers to help them understand how they can code greener Wagtail projects.
"Sustainability in programming and helping the environment with simple lines of code as a concept just blew my mind," says Nandini. "I'm enthusiastic about helping make Wagtail sustainable. Sustainability is the need of the hour and if developers can help reduce carbon emission through their code, that would be fantastic for our environment."
Outside of studying and coding, Nandini loves to sketch and learn other new skills. She loves taking random courses online that interest her. She also loves reading non-fiction books. If you're lucky enough to visit Nandini in India, she would take you home first ("My mother makes the best food!"). Then she would take you to Varanasi, where she goes to school. The city is old has a lot of rich history and picturesque ghats that she would love to share with you.
