Candid wins Rep. Seth Moulton’s 2024 Congressional App Challenge in Massachusetts’ Sixth District.
Rep. Seth Moulton has named Nancy Tekityamazzi, a twelfth grader at Burlington High School, as the winner of the 2024 Congressional App Challenge in Massachusetts’ Sixth District.
When asked what inspired the creation of Candid, the student said, “My own college journey. I had problems with many adults talking about all the good stuff about their college and why I should attend it, but once I visit many of their social media sites, I notice students from that very college having to deal with many different circumstances such as dorm issues, financial issues, race-based incidents and many more. While I know that no place can be perfect for everyone, it’s great to know what you’re getting yourself into. Especially in this generation where college seems like a life-or-death concept, I wanted to make an app where aspiring students can talk with real current students from these colleges that they are interested in to get true and authentic responses. With the UMasses being in top demand, I’ve started with a forum for students and aspiring students who are interested in the college chat.”
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.