CCCS Columbia College Computer Science

CCCS High School Programming Contest #10
March 14, 2026

What is it?

NEW! BEGINNER CATEGORY! For spring 2026, we will have a non-competitive beginner category.

NEW! EARLY CHECK-IN OPTION! For spring 2026, we are looking into an early check-in option:

• You check in on Friday morning before the contest and meet your host (a CS major).
• You have breakfast, lunch, and dinner with all the other early check-ins and hosts. For dinner, we might go to Columbia downtown (15-minute walk).
• You attend CS classes, programming contest practice sessions, and CS events.
• You either stay over-night in our dorms with other early check-ins and the hosts, or your parents pick you up at the end of the day.
• You then attend the contest the next day.
• If we do offer the early check-in option, we will probably limit the number of participants to ~5.
• We are working through the early check-in option. If you are interested, make sure you say so when you register.

Are there prizes?

Who is this for?

• High school students with knowledge of C++, Python, and/or Java.
• There is a limited number of laptops and PCs. We highly recommend that you bring your own laptops.

When is this?

March 14, 2026, 9AM-5PM. The actual contest begins after lunch (see schedule below). So it's OK to check in late especially if you live far away from Columbia, MO.

What is the location?

• Columbia College at Columbia, MO (Address: 1001 Rogers Street, Columbia, MO 65216)
• Parking: The 10th Street parking lot is the most convenient. But you can use any non-residential parking lot.
  • pdf map: look for "A. 10th Street".
  • or interactive map: under "Parking Lots", look for "Tenth Street Lot".
• Contest venue: Buchanan Hall.
  • pdf map: look for "16. Buchanan Hall".
  • or interactive map: under "Buildings", look for "Buchanan Hall".

How much does it cost?

For a participating student the registration fee is $5. This covers

• Breakfast (Panera breakfast sandwich, fruit cup, coffee, juice)
• Lunch (Elior buffet)
• Dinner (Domino's pizzas)
• Snacks and drinks throughout the day.

Teachers can also purchase the food tickets at $5.

This event is heavily sponsored by Columbia College.

What’s the schedule?

• 8AM-9AM: CHECK-IN, BREAKFAST, OPENING -- BUCHANAN HALL (ROOM 103)
• Panera breakfast. (Drinks and snacks provided throughout the day.)
• Opening remarks at ~8:45AM
• 9AM-10:50AM: WARMUPS -- BUCHANAN HALL
• 11AM-11:50PM: BREAK -- ATKINS-HOLMAN STUDENT COMMONS
• 12PM-12:40PM: LUNCH -- DULANY HALL (LEE ROOM)
• Buffet Lunch
• Talk and Q&A with [TO BE ANNOUNCED]
• 12:45-5PM: CONTEST -- BUCHANAN HALL
• 5PM: DINNER, CLOSING -- BUCHANAN HALL
• Prize presentation
• Closing remarks
• Domino's pizzas

Are there contest rules?

Where do I register?

• Students: Here’s the registration form. Parents/guardians/siblings are welcome and encouraged to attend and can register as guests when a student registers.
  • Registration opens: 9/29/2025
  • Early 10% discount: payment by 11/31/2025
  • Registration closes: 1/31/2026
• Teachers: Teachers are welcome and encouraged to attend the event. Here's the registration form.

I’m registered! Now what?

Who are the organizers?

• Dr Yihsiang Liow (Columbia College, yliow@ccis.edu)
• Mr Nathaniel Graham (Columbia Area Career Center, chgraham@cpsk12.org)
• Computer Science Club (Columbia College)

Who should I talk to? … I have questions

• CCCS HS PC discord server
• Cole Schwandt, President of CS club (ctschwandt1@cougars.ccis.edu)
• Ryan Harvey, VP of CS club (rsharvey@cougars.ccis.edu)
• Hunter Deresinski, Secretary CS club (rsharvey@cougars.ccis.edu)
• Dr Liow (yliow@ccis.edu)

FAQ

• Q: What is the deadline for registration?
  A: We’ll accommodate late registrants as much as we can. So go ahead and register!

• Q: I can't find 2 other teammates from my school. Can I still participate?
  A: Sure. You can be a team of 1. A team of 2 is fine too. On the day of the event, you can also form a team with students from another high school!

• Q: Do I need a teacher's permission/approval? Do I need a teacher to be the team coach?
  A: You (and your teammates) can register individually. You do not need a teacher to register the team. Of course if you have a teacher as a team coach, he/she is welcome to attend the event too!

FYI

• Contest #9 (3/13/2025)
  • Number of high school students, parents: 21, 10
  • Cities/towns of attendees (sorted):
    • California, MO
    • Columbia, MO
    • Fenton, MO
    • Knob Noster, MO
    • Olathe, KS
    • Wildwood, MO
  • High schools (sorted):
    • California R-1 High School
    • Hickman High School
    • Homeschool
    • Knob Noster High School
    • Lafayette High School
    • Lindbergh High School
    • Muriel Williams Battle High School
    • Olathe Northwest High School
    • Rock Bridge High School
  • Results (sorted):
    • Advanced
    • 1st: Andrew Trask, Ben Hamilton, Ricky Spires
    • 2nd: Christian Moegling, Philip Chindris, Ray Ward
    • 3rd: Vidur Kothur
    • Intermediate
    • 1st: Charles DiBlasi, Landin Woods, Oskar Cobb
    • 2nd: Aasiyah Arowogbadamu, Hadeel Adam, Hunter Smith
    • 3rd: Arphita Sureshkumar, Ty McDonald
  • Counselors (CCCS majors): Ben Kelly, Cole Schwandt, Eric Schultz, Grant Clark, Mark Noble, Nasser Alahaideb, Robert Oladayo Oyedeji
  • Sponsors:
    • College College (space, food, 3x$1000 tuition scholarship, $500 for prizes)
    • Nathaniel Graham ($300 for prizes)