Joyce Announces 2024 Congressional App Challenge Winners

WASHINGTON, DC – On Monday, Congressman Dave Joyce (OH-14) announced Ayesha Faruki and Noah Valentino as the first and second place winners of the 2024 Congressional App Challenge for Ohio’s 14th Congressional District. Ayesha, who is a junior at Mentor High School, won with her submission, The Recycle Disciple, which scans bottles to help identify how to properly recycle them. Noah, a senior at Berkshire High School, finished second with his submission, ShareSpace, an app that reduces food waste by connecting people in need with restaurants that have excess food.

“Every year, I look forward to the Congressional App Challenge,” said Congressman Joyce. “I am consistently amazed by the creativity and innovation displayed by the students of Northeast Ohio. Both apps are meant to improve the lives of our neighbors, and I am so proud that both winners are trying to make the world a better place. I look forward to following Ayesha and Noah’s careers, as they have bright futures ahead of them.”

Established by Members of the U.S. House of Representatives in 2014, this competition is a nationwide event intended to engage students’ creativity and encourage their participation in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) fields. This competition allows students to compete with peers in their own district by creating and exhibiting their software application, or “app”, for mobile, tablet, or computer devices on a platform of their choice.