ServeHub wins Rep. Mikie Sherrill’s 2024 Congressional App Challenge in New Jersey’s 11th District
Rep. Mikie Sherrill has named Ethan Yang, a tenth grader at Livingston High School, as the winner of the 2024 Congressional App Challenge in New Jersey’s 11th District.
When asked what inspired the creation of ServeHub, the student said, “The inspiration for creating ServeHub stemmed from my experience as the president of a student volunteering organization. Initially, when our membership was fewer than 50 members, managing events and tracking volunteer hours through manual efforts was manageable. However, as our organization grew to more than 100 members, balancing my academic responsibilities with organizing and tracking volunteer activities became increasingly challenging.
We relied on tools like Google Forms and SignUpGenius for volunteer registration. Following that, we needed to send email reminders to participants as the event dates approached. After each event, we had to release details to the media and meticulously track each volunteer’s hours. This manual process was not only time-consuming but also prone to human error.
Recognizing the urgent need for a more efficient system that could save time and help us scale our operations, I took the initiative to develop ServeHub. This app integrates several key functions designed to streamline our processes and enhance the overall volunteering experience.
ServeHub facilitates event registration, allowing organizations to post volunteering opportunities and making it easier for members to browse and sign up. Each member can create a profile, where they can track their volunteer hours and participation history. Additionally, ServeHub features automated hour tracking, which reduces the potential for errors in logging service contributions. Super users can confirm or adjust the submitted hours to ensure accuracy, fostering transparency and trust within the organization.
Moreover, ServeHub includes media release management, enabling super users to efficiently communicate event details and updates to members. This comprehensive approach not only simplifies the management of our growing membership but also empowers both leaders and volunteers with easy access to accurate information.
By automating these processes, ServeHub minimizes human error and helps us focus on what truly matters—making a positive impact in our community through volunteering. This innovative platform represents a significant step forward in transforming how we manage and engage with volunteer activities.”
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.