YOUNG CGS STUDENT TRIUMPHS IN WWDC SWIFT CHALLENGE, REALISES DREAM

William Laverty, a 15-year-old Canberra Grammar School student, has won the prestigious Worldwide Developers Conference 2023 Swift Student Challenge. This marks William’s second victory in the competition. However, unlike the past few years when WWDC events were held online due to the pandemic, this year’s event allowed William to attend in person at Apple Park.

The WWDC student program, now in its 12th year, provides a global platform for student developers to showcase their skills. Participants submitted interactive scenes in a Swift playground, with winners like William receiving exclusive WWDC23 outerwear, Air Pods Pro, a customised pin set, and a one-year membership in the Apple Developer Program.

William’s passion for coding ignited in primary school. He has since developed several mobile apps, including a cooking recipe app and a music app that transforms a mini piano into a song player. For his winning entry this year, William addressed environmental challenges through technology by tackling the critical issue of pollution. His app allows users to assume the roles of a penguin or a whale, navigating polluted waters while avoiding trash.

In William’s own words, “Winning the Apple WWDC Swift Student Challenge this year was a significant change compared to my first win in 2021. This year, my primary aim was to impress the Apple Developers by creating an app showcasing my programming skills, character art, and music that I designed and composed myself. It was an exciting chance to explore the potential of these new technologies for my future as a software developer.”

“Ever since I was young and used to watch these events online at 3:00am, I’ve been inspired to become a developer, and attending these events in person has been a lifelong dream of mine. I find it absolutely fascinating how code has the power to solve numerous problems in people’s lives, and I’ve always wanted to develop experiences that bring joy through my skills of creativity and have the potential to improve people’s lives.”

William credits Canberra Grammar School for playing a crucial role in his journey as a young developer, saying, “CGS has played a crucial role in my journey as a young developer by offering various courses such as Software Design and engaging co-curricular activities like Code Cadets, which have provided me with invaluable support. The school’s commitment to innovation, under the management of Mr Zamponga, has ensured that softwarebased courses have stayed up-to-date with today’s rapidly changing technological world.”

William’s success highlights his exceptional talent and underscores the importance of providing opportunities and resources for students to explore their passion for coding and technology. As William continues to hone his skills and push the boundaries of what is possible in the world of software development, he remains grateful for the opportunities and support that have shaped his journey.