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PHOENIX -- Nearly 200 students from Arizona colleges and universities vied for top honors in Avnet, Inc.'s (NYSE:AVT) fourth annual Avnet Tech Games on Saturday, April 4, 2009, applying what they are learning in school to real-work scenarios for a chance to win $1,000 scholarships. A total of $50,000 in prizes generously donated by the Carstens Family Fund was available to event participants, including $200 for each faculty member who led a participating team and $300 for each winning team.
A panel of judges made up of executives from technology firms, engineers and technical experts selected the winners based on their ability to meet the technical requirements of the task, apply innovative approaches to the solution and demonstrate professional skills. Fifty-seven student teams competed in this year's Avnet Tech Games. Additionally, more colleges and universities were represented at the 2009 Avnet Tech Games. They included Arizona State University, the University of Advancing Technology, the University of Arizona, ITT Technical Institute and the Maricopa County Community Colleges.
This annual multidisciplinary technology competition, composed of nine separate events, requires students to work in teams to test their knowledge, creativity, decision-making, problem-solving and technical skills - key determinants of success in today's workforce. At this year's games, students showcased how they can make a difference in advancing business and improve quality of life by using technology to address a humanitarian need, create a solar-powered lamp and construct a virtual server environment.
The winners of the 2009 Avnet Tech Games events are:
- Accenture Tech Challenge
- Mesa Community College
Faculty Coach: Scott Shaw
Student Team Members:
- Tara Birkholz
- Brian Jacques
- Cameron Lane
- Aaron Rockwell
- AMD Build and Tune the Fastest Computer
- Glendale Community College
Faculty Coach: Paula Cheslik
Student Team Members:
- Jerry Lavender
- Andrew Lewton
- Bryan Witherspoon
- Digital Design Challenge
- Chandler-Gilbert Community College
Faculty Coach: Bassam Matar
Student Team Members:
- Ryan Lindmar
- Gabriel Melendez
- Andrew Watson
- Multimedia Fast Break
- Scottsdale Community College
Faculty Coach: Carrie Jones
Student Team Members:
- Ryan Caldwell
- Amy Chow
- Nick Kalil
- Alexander Ramirez
- Networking Within the Enterprise
- Mesa Community College
Faculty Coach: Mark Anderson
Student Team Members:
- Vincent Hulsey
- Robert Kim
- Suk-Yi Pennock
- Patch Panel Madness
- University of Advancing Technology
Faculty Coach: Ryan Clarke
Student Team Members:
- AJ Ghassemlouei
- Bill Nega
- Zach Priddy
- Project Greenlight LED Challenge
- University of Advancing Technology
Faculty Coach: Ryan Clarke
Student Team Members:
Stephen Harper
Sean Hillmeyer
Lilibeth Rodriguez
- Robot Race Obstacle Course
- Chandler-Gilbert Community College
Faculty Coach: Bassam Matar
Student Team Members:
- Ryan Foster
- Rudy Navarro
- John Reith
- VMware Virtualization Challenge
- Arizona State University, W.P. Carey School of Business
Faculty Coach: Matthew McCarthy
Student Team Members:
- Sarah Feller
- Nick Lish
- David Lorenzi
- Nadine Yassine
The event also included a trade show and networking event to help students connect with prospective employers. Avnet Tech Games sponsors included Accenture, AMD, Avnet, Inc., Belkin, College Times, MAXON, Metro Studios, New Angle Media, the Phoenix Suns, the University of Advancing Technology and VMware, Inc.
More information is available at www.avnettechgames.com or by searching on Twitter for tweets about the event using the hashtag #atg09.
Video highlights of the events are available online
Photos of the events can be found here.
About Avnet
Avnet, Inc., a Fortune 500 Company, is one of the largest distributors of electronic components, computer products and embedded technology serving customers in more than 70 countries worldwide. Avnet accelerates its partners' success by connecting the world's leading technology suppliers with a broad base of more than 100,000 customers and providing cost-effective, value-added services and solutions. For the fiscal year ended June 28, 2008, Avnet generated revenue of $17.95 billion. For more information, visit www.avnet.com.
Contacts
Avnet
Michelle Kershner
480-643-7658 (Media)
michelle.kershner@avnet.com
or
Brodeur for Avnet
Josie Lee
602-224-4051
Cell: 617-470-2061
jlee@brodeur.com
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