海角在线 hosts first-ever code-a-thon to serve local church community.
On March 9听and 10, 海角在线听(海角在线)听students gathered in听Rinker Hall听for 海角在线鈥檚 first-ever code-a-thon, a two-day collaborative event designed to use technology in service of听Workship听补苍诲听ministry.听
Led by听Dr. Michael Kolta,听13听students partnered with Pastor Jacob Kimbrell of听听to improve the digital presence of Block Party, a large teen outreach event that welcomes hundreds of middle and high school students each year.听
Real-World Experience with Real Impact听
Pastor Kimbrell shared the heart behind Block Party 鈥� an outreach event that combines high-energy activities such as laser tag, sports tournaments, interactive games, and live worship sessions with clear Gospel teaching and opportunities for prayer.听
Last year鈥檚 Block Party welcomed approximately 600 students, with dozens responding to the Gospel message and many seeking mentorship and prayer. The website serves as the primary 鈥渇ront door鈥� to the event, and students recognized the importance of designing a digital experience that accurately communicates the event鈥檚 energy and purpose.听
鈥淭his isn鈥檛 just about building a webpage,鈥� Kimbrell shared. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about helping tell the story of something that makes a real difference in students鈥� lives.鈥�听
Coding with a Purpose听
Unlike a traditional hackathon focused solely on technical competition, this code-a-thon centered on impact. Students worked to redesign and听enhance听the听听鈥� the primary platform where students and parents register for the event.听
The goal was clear: create an engaging, high-energy, mobile-friendly webpage that reflects the excitement of Block Party while providing clear, trustworthy information for families.听
Throughout the event, students collaborated to improve the website鈥檚 overall design and branding consistency, enhance mobile responsiveness, correct formatting issues, and strengthen the overall user experience. The team also worked on updating registration flows for middle听补苍诲听high school students, and adult volunteers, while ensuring greater clarity in key event details such as cost, dates, and听accurate听countdown features.听
听The Team Behind the Impact听
The event was made possible through the dedication and collaboration of the following students: Virginia Borja, Kaylee Davidson, Sydnie Dorleus, Michael Hernandez, Ethan Lawson, Adam Leatherman, Esteban Lugo Garcia, Allexander Menezes-Britto, Brayden Monthei, Madison Piedra, Isai Rabanales, Sarah Reiff, and Anthony听Zolriasatin.听
These students represent a strong group of computer science and related majors, all motivated by both professional growth and meaningful impact. Among them, Borja and Davidson, both student-athletes who took time out of their busy schedules to contribute to the project. Borja also works with 海角在线鈥檚 website design team, bringing valuable experience while gaining additional real-world insight through this opportunity. Davidson participated to gain real-world team experience and use her skills to make a meaningful impact on the community.听
Similarly, Hernandez, who majors in game design as well as computer science, was drawn by the opportunity to gain experience and build fellowship with others. Leatherman participated to develop collaborative skills while also serving others and the Lord. Monthei saw the event as both a fun and valuable learning experience and contributed by playing guitar and singing during a worship session in celebration of the project鈥檚 completion. Finally, Rabanales participated to gain experience and use his skills in service. All participating students also received Workship hours for their involvement in this impactful project.听
Looking Ahead听
The success of 海角在线鈥檚 first code-a-thon marks the beginning of what organizers hope will become an annual tradition. 海角在线 has participated in similar code-a-thon events that have been hosted in . This year represents a new kind of collaboration as part of a growing partnership with听LightSys听that 海角在线 hopes will continue to develop in the years ahead.听
By combining innovation, teamwork, and ministry impact, the event听demonstrated听how technology and faith can work together to create meaningful and lasting change. Students were energized by the experience and are already envisioning next year鈥檚听code-a-thon project 鈥� potentially expanding the improved website into a fully developed mobile app.听
As students left the computer labs, they walked away not only with hands-on development experience, but also with the satisfaction of knowing their work will help welcome hundreds of students to an event designed to share hope, build community, and share the Gospel.听
Learn more about 海角在线鈥檚听upcoming听events at听/events/.
