Web Professionals and SkillsUSA 2019 Web Design and Development contest winners on stage
Congratulations to our 2019 national web design contest champions. We held our 16th annual national competition in Louisville, KY (June 25 – 28, 2019). This was the second year we brought a dedicated server and private network environment for competitors. Overall, we had teams from over 25 states compete in our contest for secondary (high school) students. Additionally, teams from 10 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 – Meridian Technical Charter High School – Meridian, ID.
- Silver (second place) team – Center For Technology, Essex Junction, VT.
- Bronze (third place) team – Seward High School – Seward, NE.
Gold, Silver, and Bronze medal winners (high school contest) and Technical Committee Jonathan Worent – left, Mark DuBois – right)
Winning teams – post-secondary competition
- Gold (first place) team – Ozarks Technical Community College – Springfield, MO.
- Silver (second place) team – Manatee Tech College, Bradenton, FL.
- Bronze (third place) team – Moore Norman Technology Center – Norman, OK.
Gold, Silver, and Bronze medal winners (college contest) and Technical Committee Jonathan Worent – left, Mark DuBois – right)
If you are reading this and are aware of a state web design and development 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 2020).
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 the equally important areas of professionalism and teamwork.
This year, we had a number of practicing professionals (who are members of Web Professionals also) 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. Most were present for nearly the entire week.
- Steve Waddell (CTE Learning)
- Jonathan Worent (Burwood Group)
- David Jackson (Tekkii Systems)
- James Anderton (Burwood Group)
- Jeff McCollum
- Grant Schnittgoecke (Tekkii Systems)
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). Obviously, this is a massive team effort. We are very grateful for the numerous judges who helped in the competition. These included: Shari, Reuben, Alan, Patrick, and Larry. If you are interested in helping us with future competitions, please contact us. You do not need to travel to Louisville as we place all materials on a secure server for judges to review.
- Professionalism (including a team interview)
- Graphics and type (visual design)
- Design and layout (UX/ UI)
- Programming and code (HTML, CSS, JS – including the ability to read and process an API)
- 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).
