West Florida News

U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) has announced the winners of the 2023 Congressional App Challenge for the 17th Congressional District of Florida. The winning team, comprised of Kuentsen Dorji, Henry Zhou, and Marlowe Meredith, all 12th graders at Pine View, developed the SmartVolly App, a smart fire extinguisher that detects fires remotely, alerts customers, and automatically extinguishes fires.

"The FL-17 Congressional App Challenge competition was steep this year, with four teams vying for the top recognition as Congressional App Challenge Winner," said Rep. Steube. "Kuentsen, Henry, and Marlowe demonstrated an impressive solution that has great potential in the free market. I look forward to seeing all these students do great things in their futures."

The SmartVolly team expressed their passion for innovation and technology in their entry, stating, "Our team is passionate about using innovation and technology to better humanity. A better solution is needed to address the devastating impact of home fires. Through the app, customers can monitor the extinguisher status, set temperature thresholds, and set off the extinguisher at any time."

The SmartVolly App aims to address the alarming statistics surrounding home fires in North America, which result in thousands of deaths, injuries, and billions of dollars in property damage each year. The app provides a more efficient and automated solution to fire extinguishing, ensuring the safety of homes and lives.

Joseph Alessi, the App Challenge Program's National Director, expressed his enthusiasm for the record-breaking year, saying, "The exponential increase in student engagement highlights the Congressional App Challenge's growing influence as a beacon for young minds interested in computer science. It's evident that students are not only embracing the Challenge as a competition but also as a platform to express their passion for technology and contribute to the ever-evolving landscape of digital innovation."

The Congressional App Challenge is an annual competition that encourages students to create and submit their original apps. Each winning app is displayed in the U.S. Capitol Building for one year, and winning teams are invited to the #HouseofCode event in Washington DC. Winners also have the opportunity to apply for the ARTS Act Copyright Waiver, which waives registration fees for copyrighting their creation.

Congratulations to the Pine View students for their remarkable achievement in winning the 2023 Congressional App Challenge. Their innovative solution has the potential to make a significant impact in fire safety and prevention, and we hope to see more brilliant creations from these talented students in the future.

For additional details, please follow this link: https://steube.house.gov/press-releases/u-s-rep-greg-steube-announces-pine-view-students-win-2023-congressional-app-challenge/