Waterloo teens recognized for app that fosters connections between youth and seniors
Generation Linkers, a Technovation Girls Waterloo team, has been named a North American Regional Honoree in the Technovation Global semi-finals. The winning team, consisting of Sophie Rus, Le Anne Du, and Olivia Guo, won for their app LinkAge, which connects young adults aged 16–25 to lonely senior citizens with similar interests.
“Generation Linkers put so much thought, care, and passion into their project, so it is incredible to see that work honoured on a global scale,” says Samantha Jewett, the Technovation Waterloo Chapter Ambassador. “We had four teams from our chapter compete in the semi-finals, and want to congratulate all of them for their accomplishment. The youth in our programs are the future leaders of the world, and I am so proud to be a small part of their journey.”
Technovation Girls is a free 12-week program that empowers girls and gender minorities age 8–18 with “the skills to become tech entrepreneurs and leaders.” Waterloo’s Women in Computer Science (WiCS) Outreach oversees the Waterloo chapter, which includes students from across the Waterloo and London regions. All three team members are friends and high school students — Sophie is at Waterloo Collegiate Institute, and Le Anne and Olivia are students at Laurel Heights Secondary School.
Left to right: Olivia Guo, Sophie Rus, Le Anne Du