A Peoria Heights High School student helps the crowd down-load the Peoria Heights Mobile App during Hot in the Heights on a Friday night in late May at Tower Park.
BRIAN LUDWIG
‘It’s Happening in The Heights,” and some high school students are taking time out of their busy schedules to help you find out on your phone.
The Peoria Heights Mobile App is available for free at the Apple App Store and Google Play. It includes information on Dining & Drinks, Shopping & Retail, Health & Wellness, and Spaces & Places. It’s all conveniently organized and easily accessible with an event calendar put together by the Peoria Heights Chamber of Commerce.
“The app promotes events and businesses,” said Jorge Castro, who’s one of the student leaders selected to help launch — and run — the phone application. “We visit local businesses, help figure out coupons, and create profiles at events.”
Castro and his team of Patriots from Heights High launched the app on May 28 at a Tower Park festival. They helped hundreds of people download the app in seconds.
“With older people, we actually download the app and go from there,” said PHS junior Zaiden Singletary. “It’s cool to see it come together.”
Jaco Barbarani is the team lead, and was instrumental in setting up the app, what with all the analytics involved. He credits principal Terry Mooney and superintendent Eric Heath for selecting his crack team of students. There’s no third party behind the operation.
“Kids adapt very well to technology,” said Barbarani, who coaches his kids with “pitch practices” before “hitting the streets,” so to speak. “We manage all the input.”
The group’s goal is to get to 2,000 downloads. They reported at a recent Chamber of Commerce meeting that the app has had more than 22,000 views with 10-20 downloads daily.
A Peoria Heights High School student helps the crowd down-load the Peoria Heights Mobile App during Hot in the Heights on a Friday night in late May at Tower Park.
BRIAN LUDWIG
But wait, there’s more. The students write articles about what’s happening in the Heights for the app, which also includes local Info & Tips, lists of professional and emergency services and area maps.
“It was pretty hard at first, but practice helps,” senior Ayden Painter said. “Lots of practicing.”
Not easy for a typical high school student to make a sales pitch to adult business owners. These kids are definitely not the stereotypical tech geeks who spend their days holed up in the basement in their pajamas. “We all do two sports,” explained Castro. “We all work jobs.”
So the students are learning the value of time management. Experience builds confidence.
“It’s been a grind — lots of pitches,” said senior Braylin Ramsey. “We balanced it well.”
These kids have put the time in to get their app launched, and are hitting their stride as the city marches toward the 250th Jamboree on Aug 22. Want to know what that’s all about? The Peoria Heights Mobile App kids have you covered. Watch for them the next time you’re in the Heights.
“Keeps us on our feet,” Jayden Quinn said. “School is where managing time comes in — got to have a balance.”
The future is now with the Peoria Heights Mobile App. There’s a loyalty program for those who create a profile with coupons and extra free stuff available. Who knows, the kids may draw more communities into the equation.
“It’s been a good experience for future resumes, for college,” Ramsey concluded. “Talking to so many people. Learning so many skills.”