ROCKINGHAM — Joining high schoolers from across the state, three Richmond County 10th-graders toiled for three days to learn from industry professionals and design both hardware and software products as part of the inaugural AGORA Hack-a-Thon at Fayetteville State University.

The Navy Next Generation Outreach and Recruitment Initiative known as AGOR is aimed at strengthening the area’s future workforce by exposing students to hands-on, research-based experiences. Its goal is to increase the number of college-ready students, especially those pursuing science, technology, engineering and math studies.

A Richmond Senior High School sophomore, Seelymah Brown plans to one day work in the medical profession, so AGORA was right up her alley.

Along with Mekayla Brown and Kris Terry, Seelymah Brown competed for a chance to win scholarship money.

The trio spent three days putting their coding skills to the test. Contending against an entire class where each student was individually judged, each Richmond County Schools student ultimately placed.

“I was so shocked when they called my name,” said Seelymah Brown. “There were so many smart students in the class I could hardly believe I placed first.”

As for her portion of the $10,000 prize, Seelymah Brown has already decided to put it toward her college fund.

Fellow Richmond Senior High School student Kris Terry placed second, earning $5,000, and, Richmond Early College Hugh School’s Mekayla Brown took home $2,500 for her third-place win.

Master STEM Teacher Jeffries Epps said this is one of many of the county’s achievements in science, technology, engineering and mathematics competitions.

“Producing college and career ready students is a major priority for Richmond County Schools,” Epps said in an email to the Daily Journal. “This is truly a G.R.E.AT. moment for our district. To have our G.R.E.A.T. (‘Globally Ready Engineering and Technology’) grass roots initiative scale to the university level is a win-win for everyone!”

Contributed photo Pictured left to right are Richmond County Schools Stem Master Teacher Jeffries Epps, first-place winner from Richmond Senior High School Seelyma Brown, SEM Master Teacher Brian Thompson, and Cumberland County Schools Steve Hunter, AGORA Program Director.
https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/web1_AGORA1.jpgContributed photo Pictured left to right are Richmond County Schools Stem Master Teacher Jeffries Epps, first-place winner from Richmond Senior High School Seelyma Brown, SEM Master Teacher Brian Thompson, and Cumberland County Schools Steve Hunter, AGORA Program Director.

For the Daily Journal