Alumni Profile (3)

Name: Chantal ‘CJ’ Thompson

Degree Completed: B.Sc. Computer Information Science

Class of: 2008

Company/Employer: Affiliated Computer Services, Inc., (ACS/Xerox)

Position: Hardware Resell Support Manager

Memorable CIS Moment(s):

• Every LAN party! I’m supposed to be the reigning Female Mortal Kombat champion (despite what Christine says, lol!)
• When they finally sprung me (by giving me the piece of paper dem call degree)

Achievements (while enrolled and/or recent):

• CHIPS Social Director
• CHIPS Project Director
• USM Sports Director
• ACS/Xerox – Employee of the Month May, June, August, September, January, Employee of the Year 2010

Parting Words....
CIS & NCU taught me everything I know, most of the things weren’t taught in the classroom and one would get in trouble for divulging such info, but there are no regrets. Life in CIS was never easy, but no one can say it wasn’t interesting.

Alumni Profile (2)

Name: Trevoir ‘The Trev’ Williams

Degree Completed: BSc. Computer Science (Programming Emphasis)

Class of: 2010

Company/Employer: Northern Caribbean University (UNISS)

Position: Junior Software Engineer

Memorable CIS Moment(s):

Every moment was an adventure, and thus memorable

Achievements:

2007 – Silver Medalist – National Skills Web Design Category
2009 – Int'l Software Design Finalist in the Microsoft Imagine Cup (Cairo, Egypt)
2010 - Int'l Software Design Finalist in the Microsoft Imagine Cup (Warsaw, Poland)

2011 – Prime Minister’s Youth Award for International Achievement 

Parting words:

CIS for life!!!
Long live the Republic

Alumni Profile (1)

Name: Le-Vaughn Roper

Degree Completed: BSc. Information Science

Class of: 2009

Company/Employer: Harrison Memorial High School

Position: Information Technology Specialist

Memorable CIS Moment(s):

I would need a book to tell it all, and even if I got a book all the good stuff would be left out. Lol But as the great Barney Stinson would so eloquently put it, “THE LAN PARTIES ARE LEGEN……….DARY!!!!!!”

Achievements:

• Honor roll for a couple semesters, if I remember correctly.
• One of the I.T representatives for West Jamaica Conference at the 2011 Global Internet Evangelism Network (GIEN) Seminar held in Jamaica. More to come. :-)

Parting words....
To my remaining CIS colleagues, Viva la Résistance! And never forget that "Amidst adversity, God provides the ultimate solution." - L.A.R

2011 Graduate List

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN COMPUTER SCIENCE

• Brown, Courtney
• Westcarr, Jevon

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN COMPUTER INFORMATION SCIENCE

• Anthony, Melissa  
• Britton, Aldain  
• Brown, Michael  
• Campbell, Shellaine * 
• Foster, Abigail *
• Granston, Durvan
• Hanson, Ricardo
• Jefferson, Rion
• Lewis, Jaison
• Sinclair, Niffian
• Smith, Rohan
• Stennett, David
• Wheeler, Silvester

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN INFORMATION SCIENCE

• Hector, Terrence
• Letts, Mkwawa +
• Swaby, Anthony

ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE IN INFORMATION SCIENCE

• Campbell, Andre
• Holness, Duane +
• Palmer-Hynes, Marion

CIS Family Addition

Announcing the arrival of Makenzi Shae and Makayden Avery on August 1, 2011 to the CIS family. Congratulations to the proud parents, Janece and Kerry Morgan.

Makayden Avery

Makenzi Shae

Software Development Jobs Pays!

U.S. News has reported that Software Developers are among the highest paid careers. See the following excerpt from their article "10 Jobs that Offer a Big Bang for Your Buck". Please note that the figures quoted are in U.S. Currency.

http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2010/12/07/10-jobs-that-offer-a-big-bang-for-your-buck?PageNr=1

"Computer software engineer: With a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field, computer software engineers bring in a median salary of $87,000 a year. For more complex jobs, a master's degree may be required, but the real gold standard is in-depth knowledge of programming languages. Employment is expected to swell by a whopping 295,200 jobs, or more than 32 percent, between 2008 and 2018."

U.S. News also cites technology positions as one of "The best Careers for 2011".

http://money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2010/12/06/the-50-best-careers-of-2011?PageNr=2&s_cid=related-links:TOP

"Technology positions also account for a good chunk of our top-choice careers. Computer support specialist joins the ranks this year with upward trending employment numbers. "

The Story of Xormis

Once upon a time, in a land not so far away – there were four aspiring apprentices – Shawn McLean, Derron Brown, Markel Mairs, and Dwayne Samuels, who were all trained and highly skilled in the art of software development. These noble men lived in a time when the world was in a state of despair:

• The people were hungry and impoverished
• Many lacked a proper education
• Gender disparity pervaded many regions
• Children and pregnant mothers were ill and in need of suitable care
• Diseases such as AIDS and Malaria plagued the land
• The environment was at risk
• And Global partnership between nations seemed unattainable

The United Nations and Microsoft therefore sent out a call throughout the entire world, challenging students from around the globe to compete in the Imagine Cup by developing technology solutions to these, the world’s toughest problems.

Undaunted by the mammoth task ahead and the stiff competition they were most certainly to face, this group of technologists stepped up to the challenge. Under the guidance and direction from their Mentor in Chief – Kenrie Hylton, they decided to develop a solution that was not aimed at one, but rather all the problems outlined by the United Nations.

Sir Shawn assumed the role of Chief Software Architect and Lead Application Developer,
Derron served as the Mobile Application Developer and the Algorithm Expert
Markel was charged with key programming tasks and creating pivotal modules
Dwayne took on the responsibility of marketing and being the usability engineer.

Together they called themselves Team Xormis.

Now armed with nothing more than an idea and a thirst for success, this team set out on a quest to fulfill their dreams and conquer in the Imagine Cup competition. What they lacked in resources, they made up for in their passion and proficiency.

Through sleepless nights they toiled, with final exams looming and their social life now shattered and nonexistent. Still they pressed on with their eyes on the prize.

There were many who thought it could not be done, certainly not from the land of wood and water. This is a battle that only the perceived mighty from the U.S., from China or from India can win. But alas, this did not deter this committed team.

With only minutes to spare, the team submitted their entry in an attempt to be one of the very few from around the world to qualify to journey to Poland for the World Finals of this prestigious event. Some members were doubtful, but hopeful. How could they overcome the multitude of challengers from countries such as India, Singapore, Russia, Germany, Finland and Spain? They were up against 90 other teams and as much as 450 individuals from around the world. Could it be done?

The answer came some time later, when the finalists were announced and behold – Team Xormis from Jamaica outclassed the lot and qualified for the world finals of the competition in Poland.

Although this in itself was a remarkable achievement, this was not the end of the book, but merely the beginning of a new chapter. Amidst the celebration, the team still kept focused on the prize.

They were now to travel to a distant land – Poland, to vie for the coveted 1st place prize against giants Brazil and Indonesia.

Battling airport security, airline food, and sleep deprivation along the way, the team survived the long journey across continents. In spite of being afflicted by jetlag, with the help of God, the team prepared for and delivered an outstanding presentation in the final round.

After almost a year of hard work, of trials and setbacks, through intermittent despair and discouragement, Team Xormis was about to receive the results of their labour. Can we place second? Can we beat the mighty Brazil, the perceived favorites? Can we be first place winners? Can we really beat the entire world?

The results answered those questions with a resounding: “YES WE CAN”

In an astounding feat, Team Xormis emerged winners of the coveted Interoperability Award, and in so doing, once again demonstrated that this land we love has among its human resources bright, adept and highly skilled technology experts.

These valiant young men have raised the bar, and have brought positive attention to our embattled country through this truly incredible and well deserved victory.

This story however does not end here, but continues through the lives of those that have been inspired by this amazing accomplishment to go forth and attain even greater success.


--
K. Hylton