Rep. Sykes Congratulates 2025 Congressional App Challenge Winners

Rep. Sykes Congratulates 2025 Congressional App Challenge Winners

AKRON, OH - Today, during National Computer Science Education Week, U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) announced Kaxten McGrew, Bastian Nowak, and Luke Hinkelman of Akron as the 2025 winners of the Congressional App Challenge for Ohio's 13th District.

"I'm pleased to announce Kaxten McGrew, Bastian Nowak, and Luke Hinkelman from Akron's NIHF STEM High School as the winners of the 2025 Congressional App Challenge for Ohio's 13th District. It is inspiring to see how these three students translated their interest in computer programming into an app that improves the education of other students," said Rep. Sykes. "Thank you to every student who entered this competition - I'm excited to see what you create next!"

Kaxten, Bastian, and Luke are students at National Inventors Hall of Fame (NIHF) STEM High School in Akron. Their app, "Eagle Express," is an innovative system that allows students and teachers to better track and make transactions on their school's token-based incentive program. You can watch their demonstration here: Eagle Express- A Smarter Way to Reward

Rep. Sykes also recognized the ingenuity and efforts of second-place winners Joshua Walter and Logan Myers for their app "StayWithMe" and third-place winner Na'Saebria Mabry for her app, "Escape the Emotion Based Escape Room."

Each year, the United States House of Representatives hosts the Congressional App Challenge, a nationwide app building competition for middle and high school students. As the winners for Ohio's 13th Congressional District, Kaxten, Bastian, and Luke will have the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C. this spring for the annual #HouseOfCode event, which features winners from across the country.