SAMSUNG Mobile App Academy Awards Top High School Students with $35,000 in Scholarships

Students gain real-world mobile app development and coding skills through Samsung Mobile App Academy

Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile) announced its 2014 Samsung Mobile App Academy winners at the 2015 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES). The 11th and 12th graders were awarded scholarships for their mobile application (app) concepts following Samsung’s summer mobile app and coding program.

As app development continues to surge as one of the most in-demand STEM-related (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) occupations, Samsung continues to drive programs like Samsung Mobile App Academy to encourage the next generation of young professionals to pursue careers in this critical field.

In the summer of 2014, 300 11th and 12th grade students across 10 U.S. cities were selected to participate in a three-day hands-on learning session. During the program, students worked with STEM industry leaders and collaborated within teams to learn real-world mobile app development and coding skills applicable in the growing field of mobile technology. Throughout the sessions, students used the Samsung Galaxy Note™ 10.1 – 2014 Edition tablet as their portal to the program curriculum and tool for researching the digital landscape. 

Upon completion of the program, students submitted their own mobile app concept proposal that focused on bettering their community for a chance at scholarship prizing. Scholarships included – $20,000 for the grand prize winner; $10,000 for the 2nd place winner and $5,000 for the 3rd place winner. All winners, including one 4th and one 5th place winner, will receive a new Samsung Galaxy smartphone. 

Samsung named Aditya Suri, an 11th grade student at George Walton Comprehensive High School in Marietta, GA, as the Samsung Mobile App Academy Grand Prize winner for his Mobi Sense application. Mobi Sense allows smoother communication for people with visual, vocal or auditory impairments. The application utilizes multiple functions to allow the user to customize the experience through tools that address specific user needs.

Evan Doherty, a 12th grade student at Upper Darby High School in Drexel Hill, PA, received second place for, Glucaster. Doherty’s app concept provides insight and support for individuals suffering with diabetes. Through the use of easy to understand graphics, Glucaster provides users with glucose-level warnings, predictions and data analytics.

Shuying (Sarah) Cheng, a 12th grade student from Highland Park High School in Highland Park, NJ, earned 3rd place for her mobile app concept, GoalGether, a concept designed to inspire users to complete goals through a point system, journal entries and friends’ ability to monitor users progress. 

Fourth place was awarded to Jeremy Paradie from Holliston, MA, and fifth place awarded to Nathan Philliber of San Mateo, CA.