The Union Island Secondary School (UISS) dominated the finals of the National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission’s (NTRC) ‘icode784’ finals, held on November 24 at the Methodist Church Hall.
The UISS Koding Kidz, UISS Study Buddies and UISS A Team walked away with the first, second and third places in the Secondary Idea Category.
The UISS Koding Kidz also enjoyed success in the Secondary Mobile Application Category, copping the second spot behind the St Vincent Girls High School’s ‘J-An Innovations’. There were only two teams who competed in this category after the St Joseph’s Convent Kingstown pulled out of the competition.
And to add to their impressive showing, the contingent from Union Island also picked up the ‘Schools with the Most Entries’ award.
The team of Jia Gloster, Timara Walters, Deondre Charles and Hosea Wilson – the UISS Koding Kidz – won the Secondary Idea category with ‘Hydro Alert’, an idea for an app that allows consumers to monitor their water usage.
Gloster explained that the idea was developed back in 2020 and was borne out of their experience living on a Grenadine Island and having to conserve water.
“We wanted to get the message to those living on the mainland,” Gloster said.
Mentor Vivesha Simmons, teacher and mentor at the UISS said that the performance of the schools in this year’s competition was a “big accomplishment,” and will help to motivate other students to get involved.The UISS last took top honors in the Idea Category of the competition in 2015.
The J-An Innovations team of Janessa Durham and Ansonique Cuffy of the Girls’ High School, presented their mobile application ‘Health Cloud’, which allows persons to book appointments at any medical facility across the country.
Cuffy explained that the idea for the mobile app came about because they identified the heightened need for it occasioned by COVID-19.
Mentor Kwesi Richards said that he was proud of the team saying that they did all the work.
“I only helped to guide them,” Richards said. “I am really proud of them; they did a superb job – this is a job well done,” he continued.
Team Astra picked up where they left off in the Secondary School categories to win the Open Category.
The team of Stanislaus Gomes, Isaac Cepeda and Luke Wilson was the judges’ pick with their presentation, App-I.
They also picked up the second position in the Open Category with their presentation Vintrus, with team Year 10 rounding up the third spot with their presentation Kutchements.
Members said that they were a bit intimidated coming up against adults for the first time, but were motivated by the increase in the cash prize for the winner of the category from EC$5,000 to EC$7,000.
They are already making preparations for next year’s competition.
In addition to teams winning trophies for the top three finishers in each category, teams were also awarded refreshments compliments Eastern Caribbean Bottlers Inc. and other prizes compliments FLOW.
