Young Elmvale prodigy recognized for coding talents
A 12-year-old local with autism has been recognized for his creativity and video game coding.
Kenny Parkes from Elmvale is one of nine North American winners of the Code Ninjas Prodigy Program for his ability to create a drone-themed video game.
- Download the CTV News app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates sent to your email inbox
"The recognition? I feel great," Parkes said. "I mean, just look at what this whole thing's all about."
Parkes' 'DRONESLAUGHT!' game was judged to be the best in the continental northeast section of Code Ninja's Prodigy Program.
"It's been a whirlwind of amazingness," said Ken Parkes, Kenny's father. "Code Ninjas really encouraged Kenny to (develop his game) and we're so happy we did."
Despite being diagnosed with autism, Parkes became an active member of the Autism Ontario community. His family then used the funding they received from Autism Ontario to enroll him in coding lessons with Code Ninjas in Barrie, one of over 400 Code Ninjas locations across the continent.
"Kenny struggles with a lot of social situations," said Christina Pittens, the director of Barrie's Code Ninjas location. "But he's never let it discourage him from exploring his hobbies and excelling at them."
With the skills he learned in more than three years at Code Ninjas, Parkes created the idea for his 'DRONESLAUGHT!' game.
"My game is a shooter," Parkes explained. "You have to try and shoot the 'trashers' who stole all of your inventions."
Parkes persevered through a month of coding, debugging and play-testing before bringing 'DRONESLAUGHT!' to life.
"It's a pretty fast-paced game. I think that definitely speaks to Kenny's character," Pittens explained. "He's always got so much going on. He's always at a level ten. Which is why I say he always brings the energy up in the centre."
On Saturday afternoon, Kenny had the opportunity to celebrate his contest-winning game and showcase it in front of fellow Autism Ontario community members and Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall.
"To just get that recognition and to get that confidence from the win, I think, will do Kenny so much good for the future," stated Nuttall. "We're all behind him going forward."
Parkes also won a family trip to Dallas, Texas, and he plans on making a website for his game so everyone can play it.
He hopes his passion for coding will allow him to become a full-time game developer when he grows up.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Potential tornado 'surreal' for residents who witnessed damaging storm in southern Ontario
Witnessing a potential tornado was 'surreal' for residents who caught a glimpse of the damaging storm in southern Ontario on Wednesday night.
Was this the bug that stung you? Wasp sightings revive murder-hornet concerns; no detections confirmed
As temperatures rise out of a mild El Nino winter, Canada's buggy season is already upon us again, and this year, the bugs are looking especially big.
WestJet planning new fare category for travellers willing to forgo carry-on bag
WestJet Airlines plans to launch a new cheaper fare category that would be available to travellers willing to fly without a carry-on bag.
'We'll need all hands on deck': Details emerge after deadly boat crash near Kingston, Ont.
Police say they have wrapped up their on-scene investigation into a deadly boat crash in eastern Ontario as details of the incident begin to emerge.
Adding just 10% ultraprocessed foods to healthy diets may raise risk of cognitive decline, stroke
Eating more ultraprocessed foods is linked to a higher risk of cognitive decline and stroke, even if a person is trying to adhere to a Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet or the MIND diet, a new study found.
Bangkok hospital says most seriously injured from turbulence-hit flight need spinal operations
Many of the more seriously injured people who were on the Singapore Airlines flight that hit severe turbulence need operations on their spines, a Bangkok hospital said Thursday.
'Looking over our shoulders': A killing looms large in a little B.C. town
Something shifted in the pretty little village of Lumby, B.C., after Tatjana Stefanski vanished.
Charlie Colin, founding member of the pop-rock band Train, dies at 58
Charlie Colin, bassist and founding member of the American pop-rock band Train, best known for their early-aughts hits like 'Drops of Jupiter' and 'Meet Virginia,' has died. He was 58.
Tiny plastic shards found in human testicles, study says
Human testicles contain microplastics and nanoplastics at levels three times higher than animal testes and human placentas, a new small study found.