LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Jefferson County Public School students won in a national competition focused on app design and coding!
Former Congressman John Yarmuth handed out the awards Friday morning and congratulated the duPont Manual High School students for their work.
Four JCPS students won the Kentucky competition.
Three worked together on an app called “CROWD-IT” which is designed to help community members share and find events geared toward environmental sustainability.
A fourth student built her own app – called “Clouded” – and it's aimed to help connect young people to mental health resources.
Yarmuth said Congress started the Congressional App Contest a few years ago to promote creativity among young Americans and recognize work that will make the country better.
"One of the things I thought about when I was deciding whether to see re-election or not
"One of the things I thought about when I was deciding whether to seek re-election or not – was that it's time to turn the Congress and the world over to younger generations – and certainly when you look at these young people and what they've done- there's a reason we need to respect and promote these younger generations because they have so much to offer to the country and the world,” he said.
All the students said they plan to improve their apps by expanding the software to other phones, adding more resources and improving the design.
Yarmuth said they understand technology is the driving force behind many societal changes.
“So when you see young people making these incredible creations that are going to serve a social need, and maybe an economic need in the case of the other participant, a psychological need, you think 'wow the country is in good shape,'” he said.
Some of the winning apps will be put on display in the US capitol for a year.
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