Life is a Story wins Rep. Jerry L. Carl’s 2024 Congressional App Challenge in Alabama’s First District
Rep. Jerry L. Carl has named Piper Clark, an Eighth grader at UMS Wright Preparatory School, as the winner of the 2024 Congressional App Challenge in Alabama’s First District.
When asked what inspired the creation of Life is a Story, the student said, “I love both reading and writing, and I completely understand what it is like to have no idea what you want to read/write. I created this app to give a bit of inspiration, so it is easier for people who want to get into literature. I also created the app a bit for myself, so I can use it when I get stuck while writing. I wanted to help other people get a spark of inspiration whenever they need it just by using my app.”
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.