Livingston Student Wins Congressional ‘App Challenge’ In NJ-11

LIVINGSTON, NJ — Livingston High School student Ethan Yang has nailed down bragging rights as the winner of the 2024 Congressional App Challenge for New Jersey's 11th District, U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill announced Tuesday.

The Congressional App Challenge, launched in 2014, is designed to engage student creativity and encourage their participation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education fields. The winner's app is eligible to be displayed in the U.S. Capitol Building and featured on the U.S. House of Representatives website.

The competition was open to middle school and high school students who live or attend school in NJ-11. A total of 80 students representing 15 schools participated in the challenge this year. Judges scored apps based on functionality, creativity. and user experience. The full set of eligibility rules for individual and team entries can be seen here.

The app that earned Yang the victory? His creation, “ServeHub,” the congresswoman reported.

ServeHub’s primary use is scheduling and tracking volunteer hours. It additionally organizes all media, tracks participants from each volunteer event, and sends email reminders to the volunteers prior to the start time.

Yang was inspired to create this app from his own experience attempting to log all of his organization’s volunteer hours and schedule by hand. To watch a video demonstration of ServeHub, click here.

Livingston High School Principal Amro Mohammed said Yang is a “conscientious and respectful” student-athlete known for his dedication and commitment.

“Teachers and classmates appreciate and respect his ability to build positive relationships and his commitment to academic and personal growth,” Mohammed said.

Other 2024 App Challenge winners included:

• 2nd Place - "Gov Guide" Aditya Anand, Montville Township High School
• 3rd Place - "InstaNews" Ayan Dalmia, Veer Chander, Yuvrah Chaudhary, David Dedic, Millburn High School

“Year after year I am impressed by the hard work of all of the NJ-11 students who submit their ideas to the Congressional App Challenge,” Sherrill said, commending Yang and the other winning students.

“It is wonderful to see our students use their STEM skills to create innovative apps and give back to others in our community,” Sherrill added.

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