Hoyer Announces Winners of the Third Annual Fifth District Congressional App Challenge

WASHINGTON, DC– Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) announced the winners of the Third Annual Fifth District Congressional App Challenge.

Alexander Lugo of Eleanor Roosevelt High School won first place with his app, "Cancer App." The app allows users to explore how different genes affect cancer. Mitchell Smith of Eleanor Roosevelt High School won second place with his app, "MS Chatter." The app is a LAN chat app designed for group collaboration and communication. Edward Jahoda of Eleanor Roosevelt High School won third place with his app, "Gallery+." The app provides users with a searchable photo gallery that allows users to find a photo using keywords.

"I am pleased to announce the winners of the third annual App Challenge, which highlights the innovation and ingenuity of Maryland's Fifth District students,"said Congressman Hoyer. "I congratulate Alexander, Mitchell, and Edward on their outstanding work, and I applaud everyone who built and submitted apps. I am so proud that students took the time and energy to enter this competitionand learn more about computer science."  

The Congressional App Challenge, established by the U.S. House of Representatives in 2013, is a nationwide event that invites students from all participating Congressional districts to compete, either individually or in a group of up to four, by creating and presenting an original software application, or "app," for a mobile, tablet, or computer platform of their choice. The contest, modeled off the long-successful Congressional Art Competition, is designed to promote innovation and engagement in the STEM education fields. High school students who live in or are eligible to attend public schools located in Maryland's Fifth Congressional District were invited to join the Fifth District App Challenge, and the winning app will be placed on display in the U.S. Capitol alongside winners from across the country.

For the first time there is an award of $50,000 in Amazon Web Services (AWS) credits that can be used for AWS cloud computing services, to be split by the winners across the country. The credits will provide students with the resources they need to keep pursuing their skills long after the challenge ends. This year's Fifth District winner—Alexander Lugo—has received $400 in AWS credits.