By JESSICA HARDING
Staff Writer
Three students from High Technology High School (HTHS) emerged as the winners of the 6th District’s 2016 Congressional App Challenge.
On Nov. 29, Congressman Frank Pallone Jr. (D-Monmouth, Middlesex) announced the winners –– Steven Vorona, Rishi Salwi and Charvi Shah, each a student who attends HTHS, which is located in Middletown.
The team won with their “Parkinsafe” app, which is designed for Parkinson’s patients and helps stabilize screens.
The annual competition is intended to highlight the value of computer science and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education by encouraging high school students to learn how to code through the creation of their own apps.
Entries were assessed by a panel of local experts on criteria, such as demonstrated knowledge of coding, programming skills and implementation of ideas.
HTHS’s mission is to prepare students to become creative problem solvers, effective communicators and tomorrow’s leaders, according to school officials.
The team came up with the “Parkinsafe” app one day during lunch after they saw a poster advertising the challenge at school. They knew they wanted to create an app that helped members of the community.
Vorona said the project hit close to home for one of the team’s members.
“Rishi had a grandfather who has Parkinson’s so that led us to the unanimous decision to pursue the idea,” Vorona explained.
The competition required groups to make an app and programming, describe their work, and film and edit an informative video.
Salwi describes the process for the coding they did in the group’s YouTube video, which explains the app.
“We utilized our own code,” he said. “We tirelessly worked to improve to its current state.”
Vorona’s main duty was the editing.
“My main job was to edit the video, and I know that the hours I spent crafting the film resounded in my teammates in their own jobs. We shared the work well in terms of what we did and defined what a team is as we worked toward a final product,” he said.
Shah explained and showed how this app was different than others in the video.
“With our app, we are able to stabilize the device’s screen so that those who previously lacked the capability to use the device can finally use one with some of the same ease as a non-afflicted person.”
Shah even interviewed a senior citizen who said that the app would be useful.
The team was excited that they won and are now encouraged to work on future apps. They have been recognized by faculty, staff, peers and the school’s principal.
The group is now competing at the national level and is excited for what the future holds.
The “Parkinsafe” app will be displayed on the Congressional App Challenge website and on digital display in the Capitol Building for next year.
To view the app’s video, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oF2IFlpSpI.