Idea for the Young Java Champions program. Given at the Oracle User Group Conference in January 2014

1. YOUNG
JAVA
CHAMPIONS
JIM BETHANCOURT
PRESIDENT
HOUSTON JAVA USERS GROUP

2. GOALS
Mold awesome Java developers
Leverage & encourage student investment in Java
Get students involved in Open Source early
Build a large network of well-qualified future Java
developers
Recognize & reward student’s efforts (patch for
letterman jacket / Java Champion jacket?)

3. SELECTION CRITERIA
High school or college student
Earned 4 or 5 on Comp Sci AP test
Passed the Java Associate Exam
Participated in Java-based OSS community service
project
Give Java talk at a conference / JUG meeting
All quantifiable contributions

4. BENEFITS
Head fake – student accomplishes a significant
amount in pursuit of recognition
May help with college admissions process
Future employers can find student’s OSS work
• Starting out in SW development can be tough
Set students up for success in life
MOAR JAVA!!!!

5. BONUS LEVEL!!!
SUMMER CAMP!
Host an invitational summer camp
Build camaraderie
Accelerate Java, computer science, and software
development lifecycle education
The best ideas and companies start with
• Friendship
• Shared Knowledge
• Shared Passion
Let’s make it happen!