CourtConnect wins Rep. Nikema Williams’ 2024 Congressional App Challenge in Georgia’s Fifth District
Rep. Nikema Williams has named Celeste Roselli, a tenth grader at The Westminster Schools, as the winner of the 2024 Congressional App Challenge in Georgia’s Fifth District.
When asked what inspired the creation of CourtConnect, the student said, “I was inspired to create this app because of a challenge faced by my mother, a Superior Court Judge, who struggled with communication gaps between judges and jurors during jury selection and trials. Not only this, but I had heard from friends and family who experienced jury duty as an annoying and tedious activity. Jury duty is an essential civic responsibility, so I believe it should be straightforward and easy to understand. Effective communication not only enhances juror experience but also prevents wasted time and resources.”
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.