Invest4Better wins Rep. Pat Ryan’s 2024 Congressional App Challenge in New York’s 18th District
Rep. Pat Ryan has named Joseph Marra, Abhay Gupta, and Rishabh Nambiar of John Jay High School as the winners of the 2024 Congressional App Challenge in New York’s 18th District.
When asked what inspired the creation of Invest4Better, the students said, “The 15 largest food and beverage companies in the United States are responsible for nearly 630 million metric tons of greenhouse gases emitted each year. Environmental Sustainability is one of the most pressing conversations happening everywhere: in our schools, homes, on the news, and across social media. We all want the beautiful trees of the Catskills and the natural landscapes we cherish to be around for future generations. That’s why we believe the best way to tackle this issue is at the source: the companies responsible for large-scale emissions. For example, with approximately 43% of Amazon’s stock held by individual investors like you and me, we can make a real impact by supporting companies that prioritize the environment. We’ve learned in our business classes and from our parents that investing in companies can benefit our financial future. Our goal is to help people make investments that are not only good for their financial future but also beneficial for the future of the planet.”
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.