ArtiVision wins Rep. Debbie Lesko’s 2024 Congressional App Challenge in Arizona’s Eighth District
Rep. Debbie Lesko has named Suhana Chand, a ninth grader at Basis Peoria, as the winner of the 2024 Congressional App Challenge in Arizona’s Eighth District.
When I started researching assistive technologies, I quickly realized that many existing solutions weren’t cutting it for a lot of people. Some were too expensive, and others only handled one specific function, like reading text or identifying faces. This meant users had to rely on several apps or devices just to get through their day, and that seemed unnecessary. It felt like there had to be a way to combine all these features into one system.
I also spent time talking with visually impaired individuals to get a better understanding of what they needed. That’s when the idea started to come together: ArtiVision would be an all-in-one device that could handle facial recognition, emotional recognition, and text-to-speech—all in a single platform. I wanted to keep it practical, something that would streamline everyday tasks rather than add complexity.
My goal wasn’t just to create something for the sake of it. I wanted to make it affordable and easy to use, so people wouldn’t have to bounce between different apps or spend money on multiple devices. ArtiVision grew out of that desire to simplify things and create something that could make a difference in the life of a visually challenged individual, and help them navigate their world a bit more independently.”
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.