Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) sponsored the 28th annual Southern Maryland High School Computer Bowl on March 4. The competition underscores the importance and value of computer skills for students who plan to become proficient in technical and industrial fields. With information technology firmly embedded in daily life, electric utilities like SMECO depend heavily on computerization to help keep the lights on for their customers.
This year’s Computer Bowl, held at North Point High School in Charles County, featured nearly 70 young computer experts in a test of their coding skills and technical knowledge. Sponsors for the annual competition are SMECO, the College of Southern Maryland, Booz Allen Hamilton, and the public school systems of Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties.
Teams from two high schools in Calvert County took the top four spots in the competition. In first place was the Northern High School team of Kyle Hurley, Michael Lindsey, Will Longsworth, and Justen Serrao, coached by Victoria Longsworth. Huntingtown High School had teams finish in the next two places. Brian Holt, Brandon Jackson, John Murray, and Zach Sims were on the second-place team and Brayden Archer, Kirsi Arnesen, Emily Desverreaux, and Jimmy Nguyen took third place. Tom Currier coached both teams. In fourth place was the Northern team of Micah Calderwood, John Heide, Jim Kong, and Tommy O’Brien, with Victoria Longsworth as the coach.
Winners received plaques and trophies. SMECO awarded gift cards to the top four teams. The College of Southern Maryland also provided the first-place winners with performance awards.
Booz Allen Hamilton employees Janet Bondelid, Alan Cooper, Janet Cooper, Carrie Dalton, Whitney Dillard, Chad Kilgore, Laurie Lawrence, Justin Mehl, and Doug Sanborn served as judges for the competition, along with Joe Burgin from the College of Southern Maryland. Lora Bennett and John Stine with Charles County Public Schools developed the literacy and programming tests used in the competition.
First-place team: Northern High School, Calvert County
From left, Justen Serrao, Kyle Hurley, Will Longsworth, Michael Lindsey, and coach Victoria Longsworth.
Second-place team: Huntingtown High School, Calvert County
From left, Zach Sims, Brian Holt, coach Tom Currier, John Murray, and Brandon Jackson.
Third-place team: Huntingtown High School, Calvert County
From left, Jimmy Nguyen, Brayden Archer, coach Tom Currier, Emily Desverreaux, and Kirsi Arnesen.
Fourth-place team: Northern High School, Calvert County
From left, Jim Kong, Micah Calderwood, Tommy O’Brien, John Heide, and coach Victoria Longsworth.
