Rep. Jim Costa Announces 2024 Congressional App Challenge Winner
FRESNO, Calif. - Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) is pleased to announce Sarah Park, as the winner of the 2024 Congressional App Challenge in California’s 21st District.
Sarah Park of Visalia, CA, is a student in her 11th year at Independence Law Academy. Aspiring to become an attorney, Sarah is driven by her strong understanding of the law and her passion for helping others. Her STEM background includes experience in JavaScript and React Native. Through her participation in the Congressional App Challenge, Sarah enhanced her coding skills and aims to one day combine her knowledge in law and technology to create a meaningful impact. Park has been selected as California’s 21st district’s winner for her innovative app, “MyPie.”
“Sarah Park’s innovative app, MyPie, showcases the creativity and talent this competition is designed to inspire,” said Congressman Jim Costa. “By addressing a real-world issue like healthy eating habits, Sarah has demonstrated the power of technology to improve lives and strengthen communities. I am proud of her achievement and excited for her future.”
“Winning the Congressional App Challenge is an incredible honor, and I am grateful for this opportunity to showcase my app,” said Sarah Park. “My Pie is a simple diet tracking tool based on the MyPlate diagram, inspired by my personal journey to improve my health and the realization that you truly are what you eat. This experience has shown me that with the right mindset, anyone can bring their ideas to life through code.”
ABOUT THE APP
The Congressional App Challenge is an annual competition sponsored by the Internet Education Foundation (IEF), that empowers middle and high school students nationwide to use coding and STEM skills to create impactful apps. The challenge is the most prestigious prize in student computer science and has reached underserved, diverse, and rural student populations.
Sarah Park developed the MyPie app to help users track their meals using an interactive version of the USDA’s MyPlate food diagram. Inspired by the creator’s experience with acid reflux, MyPie encourages mindful eating by categorizing food into five groups – protein, vegetables, fruits, grains, and dairy – and allowing users to log daily portions.
Simple yet powerful, the app promotes healthier diets and overall well-being, showcasing how technology can create meaningful change.