1 May 2024
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Meet the three Swift Student Challenge winners who were inspired by their families to change their future through coding.
Apple’s annual Swift Student Challenge recognizes students’ best code, and this year Apple is adding a new category to the rankings: 50 students from 350 winning entries were selected to receive awards. Award winner for creating an App Playground that stands out in innovation. social impact creativity or inclusion All 50 students were invited to a three-day hands-on experience at Apple Park, including special programs and special events at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC ) this year.
“Once again, this year’s Swift Student Challenge winners demonstrate the breadth and depth of opportunity. When the new generation is able Use code to make your mark on the world,” said Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations “We’re also proud to welcome more young developers unique than ever before . while they are Destination for creating apps To change our future for the better.
This year’s winners come from all over the world. Representing over 35 countries and territories, many of the app’s playgrounds are inspired by personal stories. Whether it’s helping people in their community or their favorite pastime, for Distinguished Winners Elena Galluzzo, Dezmond Blair and Jawaher Shaman, inspiration also comes from their families. And they hope that one day their app will be able to influence others.
Elena Galluzzo, 22, spends her time between Waterloo, Ont., where she is completing her bachelor’s degree from Wilfrid Laurier University, and her family home in a suburb of Toronto. She lives in that house with her parents, older sister and grandparents, which inspired the award-winning Care Capsule app.
“My grandmother is in the final stages of Alzheimer’s disease. and required full-time care,” Galluzzo said. “And this was difficult for my grandfather as well. Because it made him very lonely. Even if they live with their children and grandchildren, which is not most seniors are not. Canada is starting to enter an aging society, so I think it’s really important to look at ways in which we can continue to help people at this age. And coding is one way I can contribute.”
Elena Galluzzo designed the Care Capsule app to be a one-stop assistant for the elderly. She uses Apple’s ML machine learning framework to create a chatbot that analyzes user interactions. and find out if they suffer from loneliness or depression. Connect with community resources and keep good memories too
After Galluzzo graduates with a business degree this spring. She hopes to release the Care Capsule app on the App Store, which could include what she learned from attending WWDC24 in June.
“It’s really exciting to meet people who share my passion,” she said “I’m looking forward to seeing new frames as well. and he learned how to use it I think it’s really cool that we can create something using it.ActionWork on your device and help solve important problems at the same time.”
Dezmond Blair, 22, grew up in Canton, Michigan, and spent a lot of time outdoors mountain biking with his younger brother. His family had a second-hand computer. But they can’t connect to the internet.
“Growing up in a trailer park made me very determined. To maintain good grades in all subjects Because when I was a child My father and mother once told me that “I said, ‘You’re not going to be like me,'” Blair said, ” They spent their whole lives making sure I didn’t have to struggle like they did. And that’s where my motivation and passion comes from.”
He studied hard in high school and discovered he had a knack for technology, eventually earning an associate’s degree in computer programming. Last year, Blair began studying at the Apple Development Academy in Detroit, where he was introduced to Apple’s Swift coding language, and this experience led to the creation of an award-winning iPad app called MTB XTREME – step view of the paths around them One day, Blair dreams of launching the application. A more realistic version of this on Apple Vision Pro.
In addition to working with apps Blair recently founded his own company to help design app prototypes. which he cleverly called Easy Dez It. Parents are the most important goal for his future.
“One day I’d like to buy them a house,” Blair said, “They’ve done so much for me and my brother. So I want to give something back to them.”
Jawaher Shaman grew up in Saudi Arabia and is very close to her grandfather. But her grandfather died when she was five years old, and soon after. She also had a stutter which made her body gradually weaker. As time passes And with the help of her father She was able to learn how to lead and she is not now 27, Shaman is studying at the Apple Development Academy in Riyadh. who have speech problems
“Dad never made me feel any different from anyone else. And I hope the app My project gives the same feeling to any child or young person who struggles with stuttering, “I don’t want them to feel that stuttering is a handicap – an obstacle they cannot overcome.”
My Child tells the story of Shaman through the perspective of a stuttering child. With characters inspired by her own father and grandfather, the app guides users through exercises that help them breathe more calmly. And preparing for real experiences, like reading a story in front of the class, Shaman used AVFAudio to amplify her voice, reporting how her father used to break sentences into smaller parts. It makes it easier to handle
After graduation, Shaman works as a programmer in Saudi Arabia. She also wants to release My Child on the App Store and continue creating apps to help others.
“I want to use technology to help children. having a brain problem Because I understand what it’s like to feel different,” says Shaman. “For me, coding opens the door to new opportunities. And it will bring me one step closer to my goals. It’s about helping people and making a lasting impact.”
Apple is proud to support developers. creator and young entrepreneurs through student programs at the annual WWDC event Over the past four decades,. Thousands of students from all over the world have been able to build successful career paths. Establish business and create organizations that aim to give people equal access to technology and use technology to create a better future.
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