Three talented students from Guilderland High School have been named winners of the prestigious 2024 Congressional App Challenge for New York’s 20th Congressional District. Congratulations to Anthony Egan, Atri Dey, and Joshua Ko! This annual competition, hosted by Congressman Paul Tonko, encourages students nationwide to develop original software applications, fostering innovation and interest in computer science.
Congressman Tonko made a surprise visit to Guilderland High School on Friday, Dec. 13, to present the students with their awards. Family members, teachers, and school administrators gathered in anticipation as the students were called into the event, completely unaware of the recognition they were about to receive.
The winning app, titled Congress in Context, was designed to provide users with concise summaries of congressional legislation and discussions. The goal of the app is to make government information more accessible and easier to understand, fostering greater civic awareness.
Congressman Tonko highlighted the significance of their work, saying, “Their app connects so well with the voting public. It makes information digestible, providing updates on issues, bills, and subjects being dealt with in Congress. It’s a service that encourages informed voting—a critical need in today’s democracy.”
One of the winning students described the inspiration for the app, saying, “We wanted to bridge the gap between Congress and the public. Many people find government processes too complex to follow, so our goal was to simplify that and empower citizens with knowledge.” Another team member reflected on the surprise of the announcement, sharing, “We had no idea this was happening. Seeing our families and teachers there made it even more special. It’s an amazing feeling to have our work recognized like this.”
Congressman Tonko emphasized the importance of encouraging STEM engagement in education, noting, “We’re entering a much more technology-driven era—an innovation economy. Initiatives like the Congressional App Challenge inspire students to think outside the ordinary, develop technical skills, and put them to use in a positive, constructive format.” He also shared advice for future participants, encouraging students to “crank up the creative genius for next year’s competition. Healthy competition inspires everyone in schools to achieve and think beyond their limits.”
The Congressional App Challenge is a nationwide initiative that invites middle and high school students to learn coding and apply their skills in real-world contexts. More information about the challenge can be found on the Congressional App Challenge website and Congressman Tonko’s page.
Click through the slideshow below to see some highlights!