Gannon University proudly announced a range of scholarship awards to 29 high school
students, including the grand prize of a full-tuition scholarship, following the culmination of the University’s
inaugural Hackathon Competition
A Michigan native and junior at University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy was awarded the top
prize of a full-tuition scholarship to attend Gannon University after demonstrating a skillset that set him
apart from the competition and earning the highest scores in both the virtual and on-campus Hackathon
events.
Additional scholarship awards ranging from $1,000 to $17,000 were announced to the 28 remaining
competitors who each received scholarships renewable for up to five years of full-time undergraduate
study. Runners-up included a two-way tie for second place by a senior from Seneca High School in Erie,
Pa. and a freshman from Hamburg High School in Orchard Park, NY; and a senior from Villa Maria
Academy in Erie, Pa. claiming the third-place score.
Gannon University first welcomed high school students from across the nation to participate in one of two
virtual Hackathon competitions as a gateway for the top competitors to be invited to the on-campus
Hackathon on May 4. Advancing to this level were 29 skilled competitors who participated in a day-long
event comprised of educational training and the final competition. Competitors learned from faculty experts
and current graduate students to gain a fundamental understanding of cybersecurity and prepare for the
final Hackathon challenges, in which students answered a series of questions and applied their web-based
hacking skills to create solutions to challenges simulating real-world cybersecurity threats.
A total of 155 students registered for Gannon’s inaugural Hackathon. Registrants ranged in grade level
from freshmen to seniors in high school and represented 14 different states and territories from across the
country, including Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, Michigan, New Jersey, Maryland, District of Colombia,
Massachusetts, Indiana, Guam, Hawaii, Florida, Virgin Island and Puerto Rico.
Looking to the future, Gannon University plans to hold its next Hackathon Competition beginning in Fall
2019.