Safe Space wins Rep. Morgan Luttrell’s 2024 Congressional App Challenge in Texas’ Eighth District
Rep. Morgan Luttrell has named Nikita Vijay, an Eighth grader at Cypress Ranch High School, as the winner of the 2024 Congressional App Challenge in Texas’ Eighth District.
When asked what inspired the creation of Safe Space, the student said, “What inspired me to create Safe Space was seeing my friends talk about the stress and anxiety they were experiencing, whether it was from academics or personal struggles. I realized how common these feelings are, and I wanted to build something to offer teenagers a place to seek help and support when needed. I noticed that some of them felt uncomfortable or unsure about seeking help, either because they didn’t know where to start or were afraid of being judged. Also learning about the alarming mental health impact of gun violence on kids in the U.S. In 2022, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) reported that about 3,600 children and teens (ages 0-19) died from gun violence. With many teens facing trauma and chronic stress, I wanted to create Safe Space to offer support and a place to seek help when needed.
Safe Space is designed for middle and high school students to access emotional support from certified volunteers or counselors. It creates a secure environment where students can find help for stress, anxiety, or other challenges, whether they are feeling great, good, or struggling.”
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.