SwiftSecure wins Rep. Michael Turner’s 2024 Congressional App Challenge in Ohio’s 10th District
Rep. Michael Turner has named Emily Ahmad, a tenth grader at Centerville High School, as the winner of the 2024 Congressional App Challenge in Ohio’s 10th District.
When asked what inspired the creation of SwiftSecure, the student said, “As more and more children are being exposed to the internet, the necessity for an understanding and practice of basic cybersecurity and safe online behavior becomes essential to ensuring a secure internet experience, and contributing to a positive digital environment‚ not just for kids, but for everyone. The original inspiration for SwiftSecure stemmed from watching my six year old cousin receive his first device. This state of the art technology was gifted with very little guidance or restrictions on how he should use it. Hundreds of thousands of other young children are finding themselves in the same situation, having to navigate the internet without the necessary knowledge to stay safe. While technology offers incredible opportunities, it can also lead to harmful consequences when misused. That’s why I developed SwiftSecure, to empower children with the tools to safely explore the digital world, and help them recognize risks and stay secure online in a fun way.”
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.