Daniel Kessler

Daniel Kessler

17 Years Old

Grade 12

Maple High School

Student, Problem Solver, Builder

17-year-old high school student passionate about mathematics, chess strategy, and full-stack development. I thrive on solving complex problems and helping others learn. I love building real-world applications and turning ideas into functional projects that solve actual problems.

Chess Player Math Competition Competitor Full-Stack Developer Tutor & Instructor

About Me

♟️

Chess Journey

I've been playing competitive chess since I was eight years old, and it's been my favorite kind of challenge ever since. I've spent countless hours learning how to think ahead, stay calm, and solve problems under pressure. For me, chess is like a puzzle that never runs out of new pieces — every game teaches me something new.

📐

Mathematics

I have been participating in national mathematics competitions, challenging myself with some of the most difficult problems in high school mathematics. I've earned a spot in the top 25 percent, an honor that highlighted my dedication and perseverance.

💻

The Engineering Mindset

My passion for building and engineering started with a simple question: "How does this work?" Whether it was taking apart old electronics as a kid or debugging my first lines of code, I've always been driven by curiosity and the desire to understand how things are built from the ground up.

What excites me most isn't just writing code—it's the entire process of turning ideas into reality. From sketching out database schemas to designing user interfaces, I love the challenge of building systems that actually work and solve real problems. My journey began with Roblox development, where I learned the fundamentals of scripting and game mechanics, and evolved into building full-stack applications like my Expense Management App. Each project, whether it's a game feature or a web application, teaches me something new about software architecture, user experience, and problem-solving.

This mindset is the perfect blend of logic and creativity. It's like chess—you need to think several moves ahead, anticipate problems, and adapt when things don't go as planned. Every bug I fix, every feature I implement, and every deployment I complete reinforces my passion for building. I'm not just learning to code; I'm developing an engineering mindset—learning to break down complex problems into manageable pieces, and to build solutions that make a difference.

This is what I want to do with my life—build things that matter, solve problems that challenge me, and never stop learning.

Key Achievements

2000
Chess Rating

Competitive player since age 8

Top 25%
Distinction Ranking

Canadian Senior Mathematics Contest

🏆
Top Achiever

Cayley Math Contest 2024

💼
Full-Stack Project

Built complete Expense Management App

📚
Mathematics Tutor

Helped students master calculus & advanced math

🥋
Krav Maga Instructor

Trained youth in self-defense at local MMA club

Featured Project

💼

Expense Project Application

I developed a full-stack Expense Project Application that manages expenses and receipts from end to end. The application was built using React for the frontend, Node.js for the backend, and SQL for data management. It allows users to submit, organize, and store receipts and expense records in a secure and user-friendly interface.

Technologies Used:

React Node.js SQL Supabase

"Building this project strengthened my skills in full-stack development, database design, and modern deployment workflows."

Tech Stack

Technologies and tools I use to bring ideas to life

🎨

Frontend

React
Component-based UI
JavaScript
ES6+ & Modern JS
HTML/CSS
Responsive design
⚙️

Backend

Node.js
Server-side runtime
SQL
Database queries
REST APIs
API design & integration
🛠️

Tools & Platforms

Supabase
Backend as a service
Git
Version control
Roblox Studio
Game development
🚀

Currently Learning

TypeScript
Type-safe JavaScript
Next.js
React framework
Cloud Deploy
Production hosting
💡

Problem Solver

Breaking down complex challenges into elegant solutions

🎮

Game Developer

Started with Roblox, building interactive experiences

🌐

Full-Stack Builder

From database design to user interfaces

Experience

📚

Mathematics Tutor

Maple High School

After completing all Grade 12 mathematics courses in Grade 11, I assisted fellow students at Maple High School with calculus and advanced math topics. This role allowed me to explain complex concepts clearly and adapt my approach to different learning styles.

Calculus Advanced Mathematics Leadership Communication
🥋

Junior Krav Maga Instructor

Local MMA Club - Summer Program

During the summer, I instructed a group of kids in Krav Maga at a local MMA club. I guided them through techniques, drills, and exercises while emphasizing safety, discipline, and confidence. Teaching younger students helped me develop leadership, patience, and communication skills.

Mentoring Mentorship Safety Training Youth Development

Skills & Interests

Technical

React Node.js SQL JavaScript Full-Stack Dev Supabase

Academic

Calculus Advanced Math Problem Solving Analytical Thinking Chess Strategy

Soft Skills

Leadership Teaching Communication Patience Mentorship

Building Projects

Roblox Dev Web Apps Real-Time Systems API Design Database Design