San Ramon Hackathon 2020

2020 during the chaotic COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown, many events were cancelled. From summer camps to internships, many opportunities for local high school students were no longer taking place. It was during these times that we as an organization decided to step in, and offer opportunities for high school students who had their plans cancelled due to the pandemic. So in September of 2020, Green Apple Education Foundation decided to step in and offer a virtual hackathon event for current middle school and high school students. Through many hours of planning sessions and all the events happening around our community, we as an organization decided that it would only be fitting if the theme of the event was Virtualization: How we can make the world run online.

 With participants gathered all virtually, Mayor Bill Clarkson initiated our event with a speech encouraging the ideas of the youth and inspiring them on the themes of virtualization and its importance in the near future. As the event began to roll out, we heard and saw many innovative ideas and witnessed the impassioned youth present not only their ideas and thoughts, but their overall interest in the field of technology. As the event came to a close, group RATAVA led by Vasanth Pugalenthi and Abhinav Srinivas came in 1st place. Despite only having three winning groups, all of the ideas culminated within this event were not only unique but original as well. And this is what we as an organization strive to do, to enhance the knowledge of the youth as well as providing opportunities in order for them to pursue their passions. As the year of 2020 wraps up and the new year of 2021 begins, we hope that the chaotic times of the global pandemic will begin to slow down. Despite the situations, we will strive to provide more opportunities for the youth. From future 2021 Hackatechs to the 2021 Hackathon, we will do our best to inspire the youth and allow them to pursue their passions even when the times make it difficult to do so.