They had their own ranking from the actual development of the site, and it was fantastic. They finished in the top 2/1000th percentile of 50,000 entries in the Paradigm Challenge, a youth innovation competition.
“It’s pretty incredible that they located the competition on their own and did some research. Obviously they’re looking for help with college expenses right now,” said Ryan’s dad, David Braughler, founder of Braughler Books.
Only 100 finalists were named; the judges were obviously impressed by the vulcan-safety.org website. These three seniors used their STEM skills to teach others about the prevention of home fires in an informative and entertaining way.
“I actually I started out in seventh grade when the company my dad used to work for needed help with authors’ websites, and no one knew how to make it happen,” said Ryan Braughler, whose mom’s name is Melanie. “It was a fun experience teaching myself how to design a website.”
Braughler is a full-time web designer for the University of Cincinnati, where he will start a five-year program this fall earning a bachelor and an MBA degree in information technology. Watts will also attend the University of Cincinnati, where he hopes to major in industrial design.
“I feel really excited and proud of our work; to be selected for the top 100 out of 50,000 entries was a huge honor,” said Watts, who lives in Clearcreek Twp. with his parents, Jim and Dorie Watts.
Team Vulcan Safety's public service announcement campaign consists of two main components: a short video advertisement and a website, where you can vote for the team through Aug. 29 at vulcan-safety.org/vote. The top ten teams will win "Public Choice Award" scholarship prizes ranging from $100 to $5,000.
“I was really excited when I figured out we were finalists, and have a chance to go on and win the Grand Prize,” said Layton, who lives in Clearcreek Twp. with his parents, Todd and Emily Layton. “I plan to attend Brigham Young University this fall, working towards an information technology degree with a minor in music.”
The top team in each age category (Vulcan’s is 15-18) will win up to $20,000 and a trip to Los Angeles to attend the Paradigm Challenge Prize Ceremony. Second place up to $10,000, and Third Place up to $5,000. The $100,000 Grand Prize winner will be announced on July 23 at the Prize Ceremony in Los Angeles.
“The number of youth who stepped up to accept our inaugural Challenge to help save lives truly is inspiring,” said Jeff Richardson, Project Paradigm’s founder and CEO. “We commend the Finalists for the energy, creativity and critical thinking skills they put into their solutions to this real-life problem. Their winning ideas can help save lives in communities around the world.”
The Paradigm Challenge is also awarding grants to inspiring teachers behind the submissions. Jenifer Conard, Warren County Career Center IT instructor with a satellite program at SHS, was selected to represent Vulcan Safety. Justin Deeter, another WCCC satellite teacher at SHS, also played a significant part in the team’s success.
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