McClellan Announces 2025-2026 Congressional App Challenge Winner

Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) announced the winner of the 2025-2026 Congressional App Challenge for Virginia's Fourth Congressional District: Akash Arun Kumar Soumya. Akash designed ElderLink AR, an application that utilizes AI to provide targeted physical and emotional wellness guidance for seniors, while also offering options for real-time feedback and coaching during exercises. Akash created ElderLink AR to address the challenges posed by sedentary lifestyles among older adults.

The Fitness Chatbot offers a platform for exercise and wellbeing tips, allowing users to message questions and receive insights. It also features voice capabilities, similar to Companion Chat, which provide direct guidance on emotional wellness, including stress management. Lastly, Akash created the Exercise AR feature, which offers a real-time feedback option for seniors performing exercises through camera tracking technology.

"Akash has designed an innovative tool that gives seniors a free, accessible way to improve their health and address the issue of living a sedentary life," said Congresswoman McClellan."Sedentary lifestyles can increase the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers, as well as cause muscle or bone loss. They can also trigger depression, anxiety and cognitive decline. Too often, providers keep mental and physical care in separate silos. Akash created a coding project that thoughtfully understands and addresses the deep connection between mental and emotional health in aging. I congratulate Akash for winning the Congressional App Challenge for Virginia's Fourth!"

Akash currently attends Maggie Walker Governor's School as a tenth grader.

The Congressional App Challenge is a nationwide competition that fosters students' interest and passion in STEM and computer science. As technology rapidly evolves, STEM education is crucial for innovation, economic growth and workforce readiness. Akash, as a representative of Virginia's Fourth in the Congressional App Challenge, will be invited to Washington, D.C. to meet Congresswoman McClellan and attend the annual #HouseofCode science fair.

Watch Akash's application demonstration video here.