U.S. Rep. NicholasLangworthy, District 23 | Official U.S. House headshot
U.S. Rep. NicholasLangworthy, District 23 | Official U.S. House headshot
Congressman Nick Langworthy has announced the winner of the 2024 Congressional App Challenge for New York's 23rd District. Jessica Park, a student at Williamsville East High School, was recognized for her app "StandUP," which focuses on addressing bullying by raising awareness about its emotional and neurological effects on victims, bystanders, and bullies.
Langworthy praised the participants from Western New York and the Southern Tier for their creativity and problem-solving skills. He stated, “The Congressional App Challenge highlighted the creativity, problem-solving, and coding skills of students in Western New York and the Southern Tier. Congratulations to Jessica Park of Williamsville East High School, the winner of this year’s Congressional App Challenge for New York’s 23rd District.”
He further commented on Jessica's work: “Jessica’s app, StandUP, showcases her talent and hard work to develop a solution to a critical issue facing her peers. I’m proud to support programs that encourage STEM learning and recognize the bright futures of our local students.”
Jessica's app will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol Building and featured on the official Congressional App Challenge website. This recognition aims to celebrate her innovation and inspire other students across the nation to consider careers in STEM fields.
Reflecting on her motivation, Jessica said, “The inspiration for creating StandUP came from my own experiences and a deep desire to address bullying in a meaningful way. Growing up, I saw the impact of bullying in my school and community, and it left a lasting impression on me.”
The Congressional App Challenge is an initiative by the U.S. House of Representatives aimed at encouraging middle school and high school students to learn coding skills with contests hosted by Members of Congress within their districts. Each participating Member selects a winning app from their district that is showcased during an annual event called #HouseOfCode.
Students interested in joining next year's challenge can find more information about participation opportunities.
Alerts Sign-up