Rep. Panetta Announces Student Winners of the 2024 Congressional App Challenge
San Jose, CA – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) announced the student winners of the 2024 Congressional App Challenge for California’s 19th Congressional District. First place went to Anjali Vashisht from Evergreen Valley High School for the creation of an innovative app, VolunteerConnect. This award highlights Ms. Vashisht’s outstanding achievement in leveraging technology to create a meaningful impact on her community. Ms. Vashisht will also be invited to the #HouseofCode Event in Washington D.C. in the Spring of 2025 alongside other student innovators and have VolunteerConnect exhibited in the U.S. Capitol.
Ms. Vashisht’s app, VolunteerConnect, utilizes a chatbot interface to connect students with volunteer opportunities based on their personal preferences and location. By sharing their skills, hobbies, and interests, students can find activities that not only fulfill community service requirements for college applications but also allow them to explore careers and gain valuable experience in fields like healthcare, environmental science, and the arts.
Aarv Kaashyap from BASIS Independent Silicon Valley received second place for creating the app Sustainable Companion, which empowers users to understand their carbon footprint and offers insights into local climate change trends, including temperature shifts and environmental impacts. Saket Pathak from Silver Creek High School received third place for creating the app MindfulMood, which uses journaling and interactive activities to help kids track and manage their emotions.
The Congressional App Challenge promotes student innovation, creativity, and engagement in computer science through competition and the creation of a new digital application or “app.” This year, 48 students from across California’s 19th Congressional District participated in the challenge, developing 31 original apps tackling issues ranging from sustainability, education, and social justice. Student participants included middle and high school students.
“Our country appreciates the talent, drive, and ingenuity of our students to discover new technological solutions to real-world problems,” said Rep. Panetta. “I am proud to continue to provide an outlet through the annual Congressional App Competition for students to not only test their digital skills but also see how they can make a difference in our community. Congratulations to all the participants in the App Challenge for creating amazing apps that exemplify California’s 19th Congressional District’s leadership in tech and deep-rooted commitment to service.”
Winning apps are eligible to be displayed in the U.S. Capitol building and featured on the House of Representatives website, www.House.gov.
Officially launched by the U.S. House of Representatives in 2015, the Congressional App Challenge is a nationwide effort that allows students to compete against their peers by creating an application or “app,” for desktop/PC, web, tablet, mobile, or other devices. The Congressional App Challenge is open to all middle and high school students in California’s 19th Congressional District.
For more information on the Congressional App Challenge and how to get involved in future competitions, visit: https://www.congressionalappchallenge.us/