Congressman Castro Celebrates 2024 Congressional App Challenge Winner for the 20th District of Texas
SAN ANTONIO — Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement to recognize the achievements of Neha Hariharaprasad, a Brandeis High School freshman who won the 2024 Congressional App Challenge for the 20th District of Texas. Neha’s winning app, “Eczema Ease,” was inspired by her own struggle with eczema and is designed to help users understand and manage their condition.
“Every year, the Congressional App Challenge allows San Antonio students to showcase their tech skills and creativity by building innovative and impactful apps,” said Congressman Castro. “This year’s winner, Neha Hariharaprasad, combined her experience with eczema and her interest in coding to create a practical, useful, and important application. I’m excited to see San Antonio students using their coding skills to advance the public good, and I look forward to seeing Neha’s app displayed in the U.S. Capitol. Congratulations to all the students who participated in this year’s challenge!”
Neha Hariharaprasadand her family. Neha’s older brother Rishi (pictured to the right) won the 2022 Congressional App Challenge with his app “Disabled Health,” which helps people with disabilities search for online information about at-home injuries.
“Growing up with eczema has been challenging, not just physically but emotionally as well. However, what made it even more challenging was the uncertainty surrounding the condition—trying various treatments, visiting numerous doctors, and still not having a clear, consistent way to manage the symptoms. Over the years, my family and I have tried countless treatments, from prescription medications to home remedies. While some provided temporary relief, nothing seemed to offer a long-term solution,” Neha wrote in her application, “Eczema Ease was born out of the desire to make life easier for people like me who live with eczema. I wanted to create an app that not only educates users about their condition but also empowers them to take control of their health.”
Established in 2013, the Congressional App Challenge is a nationwide competition designed to encourage middle and high-school students to develop and apply their computer science skills. Winners from each Congressional District will have their apps featured on a display in the U.S. Capitol and are invited to attend a #HouseOfCode Demo Day Reception in Washington, D.C.
Congressman Castro’s Congressional App Challenge is judged by a nonpartisan panel of subject matter experts. This year’s competition was judged by Dr. Gregory White, Professor Emeritus, Center for Infrastructure Assurance and Security Director, Computer Science at the University of Texas at San Antonio, Dr. Christopher Combs, Dee Howard Memorial Endowed Faculty Fellowship in Mechanical Engineering, Graduate Advisor of Record: M.S. Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering at the University of Texas at San Antonio, and Ms. Marcae Bryant Omosor, an Air Force veteran and software developer at AT&T.
All middle and high school students who live or attend school in TX-20 are eligible to participate in the App Challenge for the 20th District of Texas. To learn more about Congressman Castro’s student programs, visit Castro.House.gov/students.
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