Flip the Switch wins Rep. Lois Frankel’s 2024 Congressional App Challenge in Florida’s 22nd District
Rep. Lois Frankel has named Jessica Schmilovich, an eleventh grader at Pine Crest School, as the winner of the 2024 Congressional App Challenge in Florida’s 22nd District.
When asked what inspired the creation of Flip the Switch, the student said, “The inspiration to create Flip the Switch came from when I met a family whose teenage son was struggling with serious mental health issues, and it was heartbreaking to witness how much pain they were in. That experience stayed with me, and I became more aware of just how overwhelming mental health struggles can be, not only for the individual but for everyone around them. As I delved into research, I came across a study that stated that 80% of our daily thoughts are negative, and 95% of those are repetitive. This cycle felt draining and discouraging, and I knew something had to change.
Through further research, I discovered the power of positive thinking and how it can significantly reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. This realization inspired me to create an app that could serve as a tool to help people shift their thinking from negative to positive. Flip the Switch gives users a space to share their thoughts and provides tools like the quote of the day, positive advice, mood tracker, and mood challenges to help shift their mindset toward a more optimistic outlook and maintain that positivity over time.”
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.