Fix My Car was developed by Hermiston High School senior Yahir Conejo-Garcia. By typing in a few prompts, the app can quickly diagnose issues and recommend repairs. For those who aren’t handy with vehicles, Fix My Car points users to their nearest mechanic.
23-24 Congressional App Challenge - HHS - Fix My Car v2 Hermiston High School Senior Yahir Conejo-Garcia discusses his app, Fix My Car, which won the 2023 Congressional App Challenge for Oregon's 2nd District.
Conejo-Garcia won the 2023 Congressional App Challenge for Oregon’s 2nd Congressional District, applying skills he learned through the school’s Computer Science program. The classes, taught by Robert Theriault, run the gamut from basic word processing and photo editing to more complex coding and website design.
Computer Science is one of two career and technical education (CTE) programs offered under the Arts, Information, and Communications pathway in Hermiston. The other is Art & Design, which includes both traditional drawing and painting along with digital design and media production.
The programs allow students to flex their creative muscle while creating tangible, useful products for their friends and community like building an app, filming a short news report, or designing a new logo for a local business. 'Tech Is Everywhere'
Theriault has been teaching computer science at HHS since 2016. He earned his master’s degree in cybersecurity from Western Governors University in 2020.
"A lot of what we do is programming and web development," Theriault said. "One of the things they need to learn is how to lay out a web page or app, so how do you add images, how do you add buttons, how do you add input boxes … all the stuff that makes it usable."
In his freshman-level introductory class, Theriault begins by covering the basics — things like word processing, photo editing, and simple coding. By the end of the semester, students will have learned enough to build their own computer game, which they can share online with their friends.
Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles gets more into cybersecurity and big data. Instead of a computer game, students design apps. Past entries by HHS students in the Congressional App Challenge have included the Basic App to Notify Authorities of Non-Authorized Abductions (B.A.N.A.N.A.), a facial recognition tool to help find suspected missing persons, and Touch and Talk, an app for students who have difficulty speaking.
Advance Computer Technology gets into the nitty-gritty of programming and building entire websites from scratch. Theriault said learning these skills will help prepare students for increasingly in-demand jobs. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of computer and information research scientists is projected to grow 26% from 2023 to 2033, or about 3,400 new job openings per year over the decade.
Digital Media
Sitting at the Bulldog Media anchor desk, HHS seniors Johnny Avila-Munoz and Isaac Arceo delivered the school announcements for Jan. 15, covering classroom schedule changes, upcoming events, club fundraisers, and sports highlights.
HHS seniors Johnny Avila-Munoz, left, and Isaac Arceo deliver the weekly announcements on Jan. 15.
In addition to weekly live announcements, the Bulldog Media team also produces a monthly news show called the Bulldog Rundown. Students learn what it takes to report, film, and edit their own features, ranging from sports and weather updates to local community events.
Shannon Snyder, who teaches media productions at the high school, said they have discussed career opportunities in media from Hollywood to marketing. Her program also helps students gain confidence working both on camera and behind the scenes.
"Just having the skills alone in being able to edit on Adobe Premiere Pro is huge for their resume," Snyder said. "Many businesses can’t hire out a media team, or they can't hire a videographer. But they could hire somebody in-house who knows how to edit photos or video."
Nathaniel Scott said he sees similar development in his digital arts classes where students learn how to design graphics and logos using programs like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. These graphics might find their way onto T-shirts, stickers, banners, and other items proudly worn or displayed in the school.
Students' designs have also been used by local businesses in and around Hermiston, including Umatilla County Master Gardeners, the Umatilla County Housing Authority, and Bikers Against Child Abuse.
Scott said being able to see their work live on after the assignment is complete creates a sense of pride and friendly competition among students in his classes.
"When you realize 500 people are going to be wearing this design, or people from all over the country will see this logo, there are real stakes," Scott said. "I think there is a lot of value in knowing how good design works. That can be a skill used in business."
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