Kevin Neilson, 16, Apple Application Creator

Whiz Kid's Name:  Kevin Neilson

Whiz Kid's Age:  16

Whiz Kid's School:  Delbarton

Whiz Kid's Accomplishment: Kevin programmed Apple iPhone Applications (App) for Delbarton and several surrounding schools, donated a portion of his proceeds to Delbarton, and he is now helping other students develop their own APPS.

Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness (what made him/her successful?)
Kevin, an Apple-enthusiast, recognized a demand for more school-related information, such as homework assignments, sports scores, current events, and schedules, on handheld devices and decided to teach himself how to code Apple Apps by reading books at the . Following up on a successful freshman project at Delbarton, he programmed the Delbarton App, which gave students greater functionality on their iPods, iPhones and iPads. The saying “third time’s a charm,” held true for Kevin; Apple rejected Kevin’s App twice before finally accepting his third submission.

Kevin refined his skills and continued to create Apps for Villa Walsh Academy, Morristown Beard School, and Blair Academy. He now has five approved Apps up and running and available on the Apple Store. Kevin generously chose to donate a portion of his proceeds from Apple to Delbarton.

“Kristina and I are very proud of Kevin and his accomplishments, but I think what we are most proud of is his sense of mission, his humility and his joy of sharing accomplishments at school with the team he is working with–whether it be engineering/robotics, his work with the school yearbook or competing with his team mates on the track team,” said Kevin’s father, Perry Neilson.

Kevin is currently helping other students develop their skill sets and sharpen their own ideas for the next successful APP, and he was recently elected Student Council Vice President at Delbarton for the coming year.

KNOW A WHIZ KID? Email the following, plus a photo, to jason.koestenblatt@Patch.com. Whiz Kids will appear on Long Valley Patch every Friday:

• Nominator's Name
• Nominator's E-Mail
• Whiz Kid's Name
• Whiz Kid's Age
• Whiz Kid's School
• Whiz Kid's Accomplishment