Montevallo High School student Wezley Sherman has been recognized by Congressman Spencer Bachus as the winner of the Sixth District’s inaugural House Student App Challenge.

Sherman recently met Bachus, who commend him for his development of a Windows-based computer “app” designed to help students with disabilities learn core subjects.

The nationwide contest was established to promote interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM education) by encouraging high school students to create a software application for mobile, tablet, or computer devices.  Wezley’s “Math Trainer” app is among the apps developed by students across the nation that will be highlighted in a special exhibit on the U.S. House of Representatives website (www.house.gov).

Congressman Bachus stated, “Wezley Sherman displayed great talent and technical knowledge in developing his app, but what impresses me most is that his motivation was to help other students.  This is the type of creative thinking that our schools and nation should place a priority on supporting and nurturing.  The economic competitiveness of the U.S. depends on our ability to innovate, and a key to that is developing a strong scientific and technological base through education.”

Wezley, who will enter his senior year at Montevallo High School this fall, said, “My goal with the app was to provide assistance to students with learning disabilities.  The intent is to allow a student sitting in front of a computer to interact with their testing and practicing environment in a way that provides real ‘hands-on’ learning.  My hope is that when fully realized, this will be one of my first open-source applications.”

Already an accomplished computer programmer as a high school student, Wezley has designed a phone app for Montevallo High School and is part of a group that created a commercially-successful computer gaming app.

Wezley is the son of Niki Gartmann and Kevin Sherman and has a sister, Sabrina Sherman.

Click here to see a video of the Math Trainer App in action: http://goo.gl/osDxR4