Thursday, October 1, 2026
The Congressional App Challenge is a nationwide competition that encourages middle and high school students to learn coding and develop mobile applications aimed at solving real-world problems. The annual challenge highlights student innovation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, with winning apps recognized by members of Congress.
Freeport is located within New York’s 4th Congressional District, which is represented by U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen, whose office received numerous submissions from students across Nassau County this year showcasing a wide range of technical skill and creativity.
“My office received many outstanding submissions from talented young coders across Nassau County who showcased their amazing skill and innovation,” said Rep. Gillen. “NY-04 is proud of the ingenuity demonstrated by all the students who participated and we congratulate this year’s winner, Roosevelt HS student, Nicia Warren. I wish all of these students continued success in their future endeavors and assure NY-04 families that I will continue fighting for investments in STEM education so our next generation has every opportunity to succeed.”
The first-place winner for New York’s 4th Congressional District was Roosevelt High School student Nicia Warren, who developed an app titled “Find My Food Drive.” The app creates a database of local food drives in Roosevelt, allowing users to add new food drives, view locations on an interactive map, and find nearby food banks and food drives based on their location.
By addressing the challenge of locating food assistance, the app helps eliminate barriers faced by residents who may not know when or where resources are available. Officials said the project demonstrates how student-driven technology can play a meaningful role in connecting communities with essential services.
