Congratulations to our 2017 national web design contest champions. We held our 14th annual national competition in Louisville, KY (June 20 – 23, 2017). Each team consisted of one individual who focused on the graphics and design aspects of the site described in our work order; the other individual focused on development of the HTML and CSS for that site. Overall, we had teams from 27 states competed in our contest for secondary (high school) students. Additionally, teams from 7 states competed in our separate contest for post-secondary students. All competitors had to win first place in their respective states to participate in this national competition.
Winning teams – secondary competition
- Gold (first place) team – Center for Technology – Essex Junction, VT.
- Silver (second place) team – Polk County High School – Benton, TN.
- Bronze (third place) team – Minuteman RHS – Lexington, MA
Winning teams – post-secondary competition
- Gold (first place) team – Manatee Technical College – Bradenton, FL.
- Silver (second place) team – Salt Lake City Community College, Salt Lake City, UT.
- Bronze (third place) team – Sullivan College of Technology & Design – Louisville, KY
Front row from L to R: National technical committee member Jonathan Worent; High School Medalists—Silver- (not pictured) River Fisher and Mason Tolzmann, Polk County High School (Tenn.); Gold Medalists-Alexander Cardosi and Ryan Witham, Center for Technology (Vt.); Bronze Medalists-Adam Powell and Ethan Francis-Wright, Minuteman RHS (Mass.); Back Row L to R: College/Postsecondary Medalists—Silver-Jackson Kerbs and Mikaela Smaith, Salt Lake Community College (Utah); Matthew Vreman and Belinda Velez, Manatee Technical College (Fla.); Bronze-Brandi Torres and Brandon LaDuke, Sullivan College of Technology and Design (Ky.); and, national technical committee chair Mark DuBois.
If you are reading this and are aware of a state web design contest, we encourage you to have the supervisor of that contest complete this form. We seek to have better communication between state and national web design contests held under the auspices of SkillsUSA in future years (continuing in 2018).
Throughout the competition, competitors documented their progress as they demonstrated their skills in Web Programming (HTML and CSS), Web graphics, Web site design, Web accessibility and usability, Web site management, project management, presentation, process and equally important professionalism.
This year, we had a number of practicing professionals on site to help with coordination of the competition (and to review process and conduct interviews of each team). Many thanks to those who took the time to be with me (Mark DuBois) in Louisville.
- Steve Waddell (CTE Learning)
- Jonathan Worent
- Sam Shurling
- David Jackson
Web Design Technical Committee (on site). From L to R. Sam Shurling, Steve Waddell, David Jackson, Mark DuBois, Jonathan Worent
A panel of industry experts from the Web professional community based their winning selection on the following criteria developed by the WebProfessionals.org organization (and validated by industry experts):
- Professionalism (including a team interview)
- Graphics and type (visual design)
- Design and layout (UX/ UI)
- Programming and code (HTML, CSS, JS)
- Accessibility
- Process
- Written exam
About WebProfessionals.org
WebProfessionals.org is a non-profit professional association dedicated to the advancement of webmasters and web professionals worldwide.
About the SchoolofWeb.org
As key stakeholders consisting of practicing Web professionals, experienced educators, community and business leaders we have an obligation to do better. We need to challenge one another and commit to a course of action that will improve student outcomes and a better prepared work force for tomorrow’s workplace needs. This is why we focus on industry “best practices.”
About SkillsUSA
SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry representatives working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. SkillsUSA helps each student to excel. SkillsUSA is a national organization serving teachers and high school and college students who are preparing for careers in technical, skilled and service occupations, including health occupations and for further education. SkillsUSA was formerly known as VICA (the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America).
