Two Metro high school students earned top recognition in the 2025 TECH CORPS Columbus Hackathon November 15. The Hackathon is a statewide mobile app development challenge that engaged nearly 300 high school students at events across Ohio.
Participants were challenged to design and build a mobile application inspired by one of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for 2030. The goal was to encourage students to think creatively about how technology can improve communities and contribute to a better world. Metro's winners were:
Anny Xu, 11th grade
Team: Surplus Hero
App: Connects local food providers with people facing hunger, turning excess food into essential support for families in need.
Moaad Al-Atewy, 11th grade
Team: Community Connect
App: An all-in-one hub that connects people with food, clothing and hygiene resources while enabling users to share locations and volunteer to donate or assist.
Over the course of the nine-hour challenge, students collaborated with peers and received support from more than 90 logistic and tech volunteers, judges and community professionals. Participants strengthened their coding, problem solving, communication and presentation skills while gaining insights into real-world technology careers.
“Seeing Ohio students take on real challenges and create innovative solutions reminds us why this work matters,” said Lisa M. Chambers, Chief Executive Officer of TECH CORPS. “Our Hackathon winners demonstrated confidence, skill, and imagination. We are grateful to the school districts that motivate students to stretch their abilities and pursue new skills.”
As a regional winner, each student received a $200 digital gift card in recognition of their creativity, teamwork, and commitment throughout the event.
The December 10 TECH CORPS Hackathon Recognition Event is more than a celebration. It highlights the promising talent emerging from the the Metro Schools and acknowledges the creativity and problem-solving students demonstrated on a statewide stage. Commendations from state and local leaders reinforce the value of giving young people access to meaningful technology experiences that build confidence, capability, and pathways to future opportunities. Together, these achievements reflect the strength and impact of the Metro Schools community.
About TECH CORPS: TECH CORPS is a national nonprofit organization that delivers meaningful, career-connected technology programs to K–12 students and educators. Founded in 1995, TECH CORPS imagines a world where every student has the skills, confidence, and opportunities to unlock the door to a successful future.