Kuster announces winner of 2020 Congressional App Challenge for N.H.’s second district
U.S. Rep Annie Kuster
HANOVER – U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster (NH-02) announced that CJ Wheelan, a senior at Hanover High School, has won the 2020 Congressional App Challenge for New Hampshire’s Second District. The Congressional App Challenge is a national competition aimed at encouraging middle and high school students to learn how to code by creating their own applications. The challenge is intended to highlight the value of computer science and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) education. Wheelan’s app, TeenWork, is designed to help young people and students find work and volunteer opportunities in the community.
“CJ’s app encourages young people to engage in their community-something that’s more vital now than ever-by helping students find jobs and volunteer opportunities,” said Rep. Kuster. “His app can help inspire young people in New Hampshire and across the country to improve the communities they live in. I’m proud of CJ’s work and I look forward to seeing and recognizing the future accomplishments of young Granite Staters in STEAM education. I want to extend my appreciation to all the young people who submitted apps for consideration.”
“My entire life I have always loved working,” said Wheelan. “Over the summers I work full time as a camp counselor, and during the school year, I work part-time at my elementary school after-school program. I found this work so meaningful and fulfilling that I wanted to encourage other teenagers to enter the workforce.”
When asked what inspired him to create the app, Wheelan said, “I am thrilled that the Congressional App Challenge enabled me to combine my love for working with my newfound interest in coding to create an app with the potential to help others!”
The Congressional App Challenge was launched by the House of Representatives in 2015 to promote innovation and engagement in computer science. It gives students across the country the opportunity to compete against their peers by creating an application (“app”) for desktop, PC, web, tablet, mobile, and other devices. The winning app, chosen by a panel of judges, is displayed in the U.S. Capitol.