HP Names Winners of Create-a-Calculator Contest

Wessman's HP-50 was the first place winner at the University level of the contest. It is designed for rugged use in the field and is able to network with other devices in order to more efficiently store and transmit the calculations it makes for later use.

"I was trying to design a device that would interact seamlessly with other pieces of professional equipment including computers, data collection equipment, and lab tools, said Wessman. "I wanted to design a new class of device designed to be useful for university students, but more targeted for professionals in technical fields."

Wessman hopes to someday design personal electronic devices and has written several programs for use on HP calculators. He currently is in the process of starting a company geared toward making the HP 49g+ graphing calculator into a field tool for land surveyors. Wessman is the recipient of a $4,000 scholarship and an HP 49g+ graphing calculator.

"Who knows," said Wessman. "Maybe someday I will be designing HP calculators."

Camporeale, who was a freshman when he entered the contest last school year, currently is operating a computer consulting business, designing Web sites and repairing computers.

"Winning first place was entirely unexpected," said Camporeale, who became a Microsoft Certified Professional at 14. "I would like to continue in this field. I plan to invest the money and use it towards funding college."

Camporeale is the recipient of a $3,000 scholarship and an HP 39g+ graphing calculator.

This year, Cerritos High School made a big impression with the judges - with both the most entries and most winners, six in total! Teacher Cindy Ravalo can be thanked, for presenting the opportunity to her students and submitting all of the entries. As a result, Cerritos High School is the recipient of 50 HP 39g+ graphing calculators, and Ravalo received $750 to use toward her school.

Congratulations to all the winners and a big thank you to all those who participated. Your enthusiasm for the "Create-a-Calculator" made the contest a great success!

"It was one month after the AP test," said Cindy. She thought, "Let's try this…the kids have worked really hard all year and this is something fun for them to do."

Cindy required her 52 Calculus students to enter the contest. Cindy told her students: "Imagine if you had HP at your will and you were able to design what you want…Make it."

Cindy inspired her students to submit creative designs that got the judges' attention. Cindy was happily surprised to learn that six of her students placed as runners-up in the contest.

Cindy said she'll definitely have her students participate again, and is even thinking of assigning the task to her trig students next year.

As a category winner, Cindy earned 50 HP 39g+ graphing calculators for her school. She said 35 calculators will be used as a class set while the other 15 will be passed out to teachers and available in their library for students.

Reading mysteries and thrillers are among Cindy's hobbies. She also crochets and is currently trying to teach herself to knit.

Cindy and her husband Derek have a six-year-old son named Matthew. The couple is expecting their second child in April.