Congressman Don Davis Welcomes 2025 App Challenge Winners to the Nation’s Capitol

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Don Davis (NC-01) welcomed the winners of the 2025 Congressional App Challenge for North Carolina's First Congressional District to Washington, D.C., for the annual House of Code Conference, where student innovators from across the country showcase their work.

The First District's winning app,PositivePathways, was developed by Martin County High School students Aaron Snyder, Ava Edmonds, and Layla Salem. Designed to support social and emotional health, the app uses interactive games to help users manage anxiety, depression, and OCD through activities such as coloring exercises, positive affirmations, and puzzle solving.

Snyder and Edmonds traveled to Washington alongside Martin County High School Media Coordinator Libby Grimes, who advised and mentored the team throughout the project.

(Left to Right: Ava Edmonds, Congressman Don Davis, Aaron Snyder, and Libby Grimes)

"I am tremendously proud to announce these remarkable students as the winners of the 2025 Congressional App Challenge for North Carolina's First District," said Davis. "PositivePathways is an inspiring example of how young innovators can work together to use technology to make a real difference. Their creativity and dedication highlight the bright future of STEM in eastern North Carolina."

The team completed the app in just two and a half weeks, coding PositivePathways in JavaScript for web, iOS, and Android platforms.

(Congressman Davis tests the PositivePathways app)

The Congressional App Challenge is a nationwide competition that encourages middle and high school students to explore coding and computer science by creating original apps. The program promotes STEM education and supports the next generation of tech innovators.