![One of the winners accepts a large check representing the $1500 first prize for the AI Skill-A-Thonprize]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1731074218/kcsdorg/atfdxv6lkoltlpfk0hmy/pernasmall.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1731074218/kcsdorg/atfdxv6lkoltlpfk0hmy/pernasmall.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1731074218/kcsdorg/atfdxv6lkoltlpfk0hmy/pernasmall.png","width":800}])
Six Kennett high school students received financial awards, and a monetary prize was awarded to the KHS Hermanitas Scholarship Fund, a fund that supports students in their academic pursuits as part of the Community Skills Initiative AI Skill-A-Thon in October.
The free online program in partnership with the United Way of Southern Chester County and Microsoft is designed to help students, professionals, and job seekers understand the increasingly important field of Artificial Intelligence, its applications in various industries, and how it can enhance their career prospects. Participants from school age through adulthood were welcomed to challenge themselves.
The Skill-A-Thon program ran from September 1st to September 30th. The courses were brief and offered in both English and Spanish. Each course completed in the Skill-A-Thon program contributed to individual or team points, fostering a sense of collaboration and shared achievement.
Loretta Perna, Coordinator of the Walk In kNowledge (WIN) and Hermanitas Program, a leadership program at the high school, challenged her six youth board members to participate. They decided to do so as a team!
The students were committed from day one. As school returned and five of the six students were working on college applications, they logged into the program each night. They also were leading the Hermanitas program too. Jasmine Esparza, Victoria Mata Lopez, Kevin Ayllon, Mirna Luna, Chelsea Buitron and Ashly Florencio worked together to expand their learning and work collaboratively.
After completing the task, the team from Kennett learned they had not only been honored with individual awards, but were chosen as the team winners, earning first place and a $5,000 grant in their age group.
High school student Jasmine Esparza earned a first place recognition in the 16 - 24 year old category and a $1,500 prize. Additional individual winners included:
- Chelsea Buitron – 2nd place $1,000
- Mirna Luna – 3rd place $600
- Ashly Florencio – 4th place $250
- Victoria Mata Lopez -- Honorable Mention $100
- Kevin Ayllon -- Honorable Mention $10
Participating in the A.I. Skill-a-Thon not only provides immediate benefits such as financial awards and scholarship fund contributions but also opens doors to future opportunities in the rapidly growing field of Artificial Intelligence.
Loretta Perna was thrilled to help guide her students through this invaluable experience.
"I am incredibly proud of the students," she said. "Their first-place achievement is a testament to their commitment, hard work, and dedication. It also underscores the unique role that United Way, in partnership with Microsoft and LinkedIn, plays in providing invaluable support and opportunities to our community."
The ceremony held at the Creamery was a joyful celebration for all participants and an excellent way to acknowledge their hard work. The event brought everyone together to honor all the individuals across the area who drove the program and benefited from the experience.