U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) announces the winner of California’s 19th District’s 2023 Congressional App Challenge: Oakli, created by Caitlynn Sue, a student from Leland High School in San Jose. Her app, “Oakli,” helps people recycle properly with a game-like system. With a tap of their finger, users can classify an object and get specific instructions for recycling that object from their county.
U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta with Caitlyn Sue, creator of Oakli recycling app.
Caitlynn will be invited to the 2023 #HouseofCode Event in Washington, D.C., in spring 2024, and have her work being displayed at the U.S. Capitol for the remainder of the 118th Congress.
This year, 40 high school and middle school students in the 19th Congressional District participated in the challenge, developing 24 original apps tackling issues such as sustainability, education, and social justice.
“With our daily lives becoming more and more integrated with our digital world, our young people will need to flex their creativity, ingenuity, and technical skills in order to compete in the global economy,” said Panetta. “The Congressional App Challenge provides a unique experience for students to test themselves and think outside-the-box to solve real world problems through the power of technology. Caitlynn, along with the other finalists and participants in this year’s Challenge, produced exceptional projects that should make us excited for future innovation in our community.”
Second place went to Anya Li and Andrew Li of Notre Dame High School in San Jose for their app, “Green Habit,” which provides eco-friendly reminders throughout the day.
Third place went to Aarini Naskar and Shriyanka Hiremagalur, also from Notre Dame High School, for “Girlz Elevate,” a platform for young women to connect with each other on mental health, academic and peer pressures, and self-esteem.
Judges included: Santa Cruz County Office of Education Chief Technology and Innovations Officer Jason Borgan, U.C. Santa Cruz Department Chair of Computational Media Magy Seif El-Sasr, Naval Post-Graduate School Assistant Professor of Computer Science Marko Orescanin, UCSC Assistant Professor of Computer Science and Engineering Owen Arden, and Western Growers Vice President of Innovation Walt DuFlock.
Winning apps are eligible to be featured on the House of Representatives website, www.House.gov.
The Congressional App Challenge was launched in 2015.
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For info on how to get involved in future competitions, visit: www.congressionalappchallenge.us