Congressional App Challenge winners announced, apps to be on display in US Capitol Building

Code Girls United members Emma Anderson and Makayla Davenport of Kalispell have been named winners of the 2024 Congressional App Challenge for Montana’s western district by U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke.

The winning app, “Adventure Challenge,” was developed by Anderson and Davenport in partnership with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. 

In Montana’s 2nd Congressional District, U.S. Rep. Matt Rosendale named Code Girls United members Makena Pedersen and Aurora Obie of Helena as winners for their app “Stay Fetch,” which they designed to aid animal lovers in finding and adopting the pet that will best suit their lives.  

The winning apps are set to be displayed in the U.S. Capitol Building during the National Science Fair’s “House of Code” event April 8-9. Both Montana teams are raising funds to attend the event in Washington, D.C.  

“This is a wonderful opportunity for these students to represent their home state and showcase their hard work and dedication to solving a community issue. Seeing young girls recognized for their technical accomplishments in a predominantly male field is so important. We are so proud of our students,” Code Girls United CEO Marianne Smith said in a statement.   

The Congressional App Challenge is a nationwide event that allows middle and high school students to showcase their skills by creating and exhibiting their software applications.  

Code Girls United is a nonprofit that offers free after-school programming for girls in grades fourth through eighth and tribal high school girls in Montana. In addition to computer science and basic business skills, girls develop skills in team building, public speaking, presentation and self-confidence.   

For more information or to donate, visit www.codegirlsunited.org.