SOS-Connect wins Rep. Mike Thompson’s 2024 Congressional App Challenge in California’s Fourth District

Rep. Mike Thompson has named Ziqi Zheng, an eleventh grader at Maria Carrillo High School, as the winner of the 2024 Congressional App Challenge in California’s Fourth District.

When asked what inspired the creation of SOS-Connect, the student said, “I was inspired to create this app after hearing about Hurricane Helene and the challenges families faced in the aftermath of the disaster. I felt deep sympathy for those affected and wanted to find a way to help. It also brought back memories of my own experience during the 2017 Tubbs Fire, which was a terrifying and chaotic time.


Beyond natural disasters, unexpected incidents can disrupt our lives, leaving us feeling scared and uncertain. That’s why I wanted to develop an emergency assistance app that fosters a reliable support network for those in need and offers a sense of security. In times of crisis, this app enables affected individuals to quickly send out distress signals or requests for help, reassuring them that a community of support is always ready to respond, providing immediate assistance when it’s needed most.

This experience also motivates me to pursue computer science and AI, as I believe that girls are capable of making a difference in the world through cutting-edge technology.”

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.