Book Vocabs wins Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz’s 2024 Congressional App Challenge in Florida’s 25th District
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz has named Chanwoo Rhee, a ninth grader at Cypress Bay High School, as the winner of the 2024 Congressional App Challenge in Florida’s 25th District.
When asked what inspired the creation of Book Vocabs, the student said, “I noticed while reading a book that I found myself pausing too many times to look up unknown words. Even though I had searched for a word previously, I was unable to recall its meaning. I believe there has to be a better way to read a book while learning new vocabulary without interruptions. Therefore, I made a tool that can instantly search up a word and help memorize it seamlessly. About 16% of the population in Broward County speaks limited English and this website can help those people who are struggling to read like I did when I first came to the U.S. ”
This year’s Congressional App Challenge set new records, with an unprecedented 382 Members of the House of Representatives hosting competitions—surpassing the previous high of 374. An incredible 12,682 students from across the country participated, representing a growth of over 1,000 students compared to 2023. These talented students submitted an astounding 3,881 original applications, showcasing their creativity, passion for technology, and the limitless potential of America’s next generation of innovators. This surge in participation reflects the increasing excitement around STEM and highlights a bright future for American innovation.
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 the Broadcom Foundation, AWS, Rise, theCoderSchool, Apple, and others.
The 2024 Congressional App Challenge will launch in May of 2025, and eligible students can pre-register for the competition now.