Bonamici Announces Winner of Oregon First District’s 2023 Congressional App Challenge

WASHINGTON, D.C. [11/13/23] – Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici announced that Aashna Nanal, a senior at Westview High School, won the 2023 Congressional App Challenge for Oregon’s First Congressional District.

Her app, AP Course Picker, helps high school students navigate the selection of Advanced Placement (AP) courses. After gathering information about the user’s interests, strengths, and goals through a series of questions, AP Course Picker generates a plan with recommended AP classes for each school year. The app is intended for incoming freshmen who are interested in planning their AP course load over their time in high school.

“Congratulations to Aashna for winning the 2023 Congressional App Challenge,” said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. “Aashna’s app is an innovative resource for students who attend high schools that offer AP classes. I wish Aashna well in her final year of high school, and I’m excited to see what she accomplishes next.”

“A lot of incoming freshmen in high school can be overwhelmed by the amount of AP classes offered as well as the progression of the courses,” said Aashna Nanal. “Considering that AP classes can put students at a great advantage for college, it is very important that all students have accessible information and guidance about AP classes. The purpose of this app is to help high school students navigate choosing Advancement Placement courses by gathering information about their interests, strengths and goals to generate a four year AP course plan for the student.”

You can view a video presentation of the app here.

Judges gave an honorable mention to Lance Skarada for his app, Summit SAT: Math Made Easy. The app aims to make SAT math learning accessible and easy to understand. The app includes a custom study plan, formulas likely to appear on the SAT, tests, and flashcards. Skarada is a senior at West Salem High School and lives in the First Congressional District.

You can view a video presentation of Summit SAT: Math Made Easy here.

Expert judges from Northwest Oregon selected the winning app. The judges evaluated submissions for creativity, originality, user experience, and design. The two judges are:

• Cyreena Boston Ashby, CEO, Girls Inc.
• Hazel Valdez, Executive Director, PDX Women in Tech (PDXWIT)

Bonamici joined participants from Oregon's First District at a virtual reception where the winning app, AP Course Picker, was announced. The app will be featured in the U.S. Capitol Building and on the House of Representatives website.

Bonamici is a founder and co-chair of the Congressional STEAM Caucus, which advocates for the integration of the arts and design into science, technology, engineering, and math education to encourage creative thinking and engage more students. By supporting and recognizing young coders, Congress is acknowledging the importance of these fields. The U.S. House of Representatives organizes the nationwide Congressional App Challenge each year.

###