MindLink_ wins Rep. Don Bacon’s 2023 Congressional App Challenge in Nebraska’s Second District
Rep. Bacon has named Diego Martinez, a 12th grader at South High School, as the winner of the 2023 Congressional App Challenge in Nebraska’s Second District.
When asked what inspired the creation of MindLink_, the student said, “My inspiration for creating this app stems from a deep desire to give back to my community. South Omaha has played a significant role in my life, providing me with countless opportunities and experiences. I felt a profound sense of gratitude for the support and resources I received from this community. As a result, I believed that it was my responsibility to contribute in a meaningful way.
This app, aimed at assisting students in my school and the broader South Omaha community, is a manifestation of that commitment. It represents my way of repaying the kindness and support I’ve received by providing a valuable resource that can make a positive impact on the lives of those who, like me, call this community home. My goal is to empower and support students in South Omaha, ensuring they have access to essential information, resources, and guidance, particularly in the realm of mental health.
In creating this app, I hope to foster a sense of togetherness and well-being within the community, ultimately strengthening the bonds that make South Omaha a special place. It’s my way of paying it forward and helping the next generation navigate their own paths to success and happiness in the same community that has given me so much.”
This year’s Challenge saw an unprecedented level of participation, with 374 Members of the House of Representatives hosting competitions, surpassing the previous record of 340. A remarkable 11,334 students from across the United States competed in this year’s Challenge, marking an impressive increase of nearly 1,000 participants compared to the previous record set in 2019. The enthusiasm and creativity these students display is a testament to the growing interest in technology and signal a bright future for American innovation. The surge of ingenuity continued with a whopping 3,645 original applications flooding in, nearly a thousand more than the previous year’s high. This remarkable growth showcases the exceptional talent and innovation within our nation’s youth.
The Congressional App Challenge is an official initiative of the U.S. House of Representatives, where Members of Congress host contests in their districts for middle school and high school students, encouraging them to learn to code and inspiring them to pursue careers in computer science. This resounding show of bipartisan support emphasizes the critical importance of STEM education in today’s rapidly evolving world. Each participating Member of Congress selects a winning app from their district, and each winning team is invited to showcase their winning app to Congress during our annual #HouseOfCode festival. The program is a public-private partnership made possible through funding from Omidyar Network, AWS, Rise, theCoderSchool, Apple, and others.
The 2024 Congressional App Challenge will launch in May of 2024, and eligible students can pre-register for the competition now.