WASHINGTON D.C. – Representing one of the most innovative areas in the United States, Rep. Kevin Mullin (CA-15) is pleased to share that local students can now apply for the 2025 Congressional App Challenge. He also announced the five winners of the last year’s competition who were recognized for their creative apps which help address pressing issues such as fire safety and waste reduction.
Started in 2015, the bipartisan Congressional App Challenge is a nationwide competition that encourages middle and high school students to combine their creativity and coding skills in designing a unique software application.
“Each year, I am overwhelmingly impressed by the thoughtful and unique ideas from students in California’s 15th Congressional District. We are a hub of innovation here in the Bay Area, and when we invest in technology education in schools, we enable the youth of today to be capable of solving the problems of tomorrow,” said Rep. Mullin. “Congratulations to Claire and Gautam, our 2024 winners, and I look forward to seeing the creative apps designed by this year’s students.”
Middle and high school students who live in California’s 15th District can now apply for the 2025 App Challenge. Submissions are due by 9 a.m. PT on Oct. 30, 2025. Visit the Congressional App Challenge website at www.congressionalappchallenge.us for more information.
Last year, the top prize for California’s 15th District was awarded to Design Tech High School students Claire Leung and Gautam Paranjape for their app, Closet Conservation. Their app seeks to help tackle the environmental problems associated with waste in the fast fashion industry.
Rep. Mullin with 2024 first place winners, Claire Leung and Gautam Paranjape.
There was a tie for second place between Hillsdale High School’s Ameer Dababo, who designed an app to teach fire safety practices, and partners Benedict Pravinata from King’s Academy and Cayden Park with The Nueva School whose project promoted youth coding education. In third place, Carlmont High School student Isabelle Ling was recognized for designing an app that promotes proper waste sorting. The winners were recognized in a ceremony where they met with Congressman Mullin to discuss more about their projects and app challenge experiences.
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