DAYTONA BEACH — Paul Stansifer studies computer programming on the Internet through the Florida Virtual School.
Michael Lewis is a self-taught programmer who has tinkered with computers since he was 6. Darash Desai and Bobby Miller have a knack for understanding computer language and in just three years have all but mastered the art of crafting programs.
The four high-school students, all 16, beat out 76 other computer whiz kids from 35 schools Saturday to win the fifth annual Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University High School Programming Competition.
“It’s just something to keep me busy,” Darash, a Celebration School junior who placed second, said of his interest in programming.
His teacher, Susan King, said Darash was being modest, since he already has won two Osceola Regional Science Fair awards.
Each received a cash award and scholarship ranging from $2,000 to $5,000. Paul, a senior from West Shore Junior/Senior High School near Melbourne Beach, took home first prize. Michael, a home-schooled student from Mount Dora, placed third. Bobby, a junior at Ransom Everglades School near Miami, was fourth.
The students were given three hours to write computer programs that solved nine problems created for the competition.
