RHAM High students recognized for work in Computing Challenge

Jun. 11—Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz has recognized students from RHAM High School for their entry in the 3rd annual Computing Challenge.

The Lieutenant Governor's " Coding for Good" computing challenge carried a theme this year of " Inspiring Health and Wellness for All". Entrants submitted projects in the categories of either concepts, prototypes, or development, in four different age groups: third, fourth, and fifth graders; sixth, seventh, and eighth graders; ninth and tenth graders; and eleventh and twelfth graders. Twenty- seven submissions were received from sixteen school districts across Connecticut.

Entering the development challenge in the ninth and tenth grade bracket were RHAM students Boone Gustaf Swanson and Naomi Webb. Both students are sophomores. Their project was called " Talk2Me" and was created to help people who are uncomfortable socializing in person, especially after the isolation of the pandemic.

" It is an app that solves the issue of people not being able to create their own conversations," according to the students' description. " It will help this issue by providing conversation starters to the person, based on a few questions we ask them. It can help people get used to talking to people so that eventually they won't need help starting a conversation. People, after the pandemic, might have trouble with the adjustment of being able to see people again. We know that a lot of other people still struggle with this issue."

Swanson and Webb said that they developed the app primarily for use by teenagers.

" This is because, overall, they are probably the ones who would have the most trouble coming out of their shell and talking to others compared to other groups," the students said. " They would want to use our app because it would promote a healthier, more social lifestyle for them, and that is generally something that people want to work towards."

Swanson's and Webb's developed a fully functional application, according to their instructor, computer science teacher and Career and Technical Education coordinator Jacqueline Wetherell. " I am extremely proud of the work that Naomi and Boone put into this project, as they focused on enhancing their coding and design skills," Wetherell said. " They were a prime example of cooperative teamwork and had a lot of fun developing their Talk2Me app."

The other students submitting in the development category were from Dodd Middle School in Cheshire, Johnston Middle School in Colchester, Bailey Middle School in West Haven, Avon High School, Ellington High School, Newtown High School, and Amity Regional High School in Woodbridge.

The submissions for the concept challenge came from students at the Willard School in Berlin, Plainfield Memorial School, Adams Middle School in Guilford, Westhill High School in Stamford, and Amity Regional High School in Woodbridge, The entries in the prototype

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Saturday concert benefits charity

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" We've sold a few hundred of them," he said, speaking about general admission tickets.

Foster said there is a bigger tent than last year, so more VIP tickets are available.

The performance schedule is as follows, but is subject to change: 12 p. m., The Jake Kulak Band; 1 p. m., Adam Ezra Group; 3 p. m. or so, David Foster's Shaboo All- Stars; 6: 30 p. m. Big Al Anderson and the Floor Models; 8 p. m. or so, Elvin Bishop and the Big Fun band.

In addition to the performance, Foster is scheduled to announce various donations from his foundation, Lester E. and Phyllis M. Foster Foundation, around 2: 30 p. m. to 3 p. m.

Foster said 15 or so donations will be announced, including a $ 250,000 donation to Horizons that was announced during Horizon's non- profit's gala last month.

That donation will be used to build the " Lowell and Claudia Weicker Arts & Wellness Center" at Horizons, which is in South Windham.

Willimantic Brewing Company will sell beer and wine during the event.

Several food trucks will be there, as well as vendors with merchandise. Outside food and beverages will not be allowed.

Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets.

Tickets can be ordered ahead of time at bit. ly/ 3QajQHk or at the Willimantic Food Co- op, which is located at 91 Valley St.

Follow Michelle Warren on Twitter — @ mwarrentc