VolunteerConnect wins Rep. Jimmy Panetta’s 2024 Congressional App Challenge in California’s 19th District
Rep. Jimmy Panetta has named Anjali Vashisht, a tenth grader at Evergreen Valley High School, as the winner of the 2024 Congressional App Challenge in California’s 19th District.
When asked what inspired the creation of VolunteerConnect, the student said, “The inspiration for creating VolunteerConnect grew from personal experiences and the struggle to find volunteer opportunities so I could make an impact while building my skills and experiences. As a student, I faced many obstacles trying to earn volunteer hours. I would sift through countless websites, only to find outdated or irrelevant options that didn’t align with my interests or skills. I found it particularly difficult to locate opportunities that were nearby and truly matched with what I wanted to achieve personally and academically. I wanted volunteer experiences that would allow me to make a meaningful impact in my community while engaging in activities I genuinely enjoyed. I wanted these experiences to help me develop necessary skills for my intended major, ensuring that my volunteer work was not only a requirement but also a crucial opportunity for my future career. This personal struggle inspired me to create a solution that would simplify the process for others facing similar challenges. VolunteerConnect was created out of a desire to provide students with a streamlined, efficient way to find volunteer opportunities that match their passions and career aspirations, ultimately making community service a more rewarding and impactful experience.”
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.