Rep. Crawford Announces 2024 Congressional App Challenge Winners

A group of students at the NEA Career Tech Center (NEACTC) has created a software application (app) called Sprout to help students track their required community service hours for high school graduation. The students developed this app to participate in Representative Rick Crawford’s annual Congressional App Challenge, a nationwide event for high school students.

The NEACTC team, consisting of Lilly Yocum, Liberty Bell, Aydan Elmore, and Victor Osorio, under the guidance of instructor Chase Smith, secured first place in the Congressman’s 2024 competition. Not only does Sprout help students track their hours, but it allows nonprofits to post their available volunteer opportunities for students. Sprout connects our community by highlighting needs and finding folks to fill those needs. 

During a reception at the NEACTC on Thursday, Crawford encouraged NEACTC instructors and the Jonesboro High School administration to encourage the team to continue refining Sprout so it can be available to more students and community nonprofits. “The Sprout app is an innovative concept that I believe students around the state will want to use to document their service hours,” said Rep. Crawford. “These students haven’t just created an app; they’ve created an opportunity for community-wide service. They are servant-leaders, and the First District is so proud of what they’ve accomplished.”

The first-place winners will receive Amazon Web Services credits and an invitation to the House of Code reception in April in Washington, D.C., where winning teams from across the nation will be honored. The winning apps will be showcased on the U.S. House of Representatives and Congressional App Challenge websites and displayed in an exhibit at the U.S. Capitol Building. 

Charles Kelly and Hazim Ragab, students at Valley View High School, claimed second place for their app, Jonesboro 411. This app was created as part of the Mayor’s Achievement Youth Council project and aims to streamline the city’s website by providing essential information for residents, including tourism, employment opportunities, city business meetings, bill payment options, schools, sports, parking information, and more. 

The 2024 competition was judged by Garrett Barnes, Assistant Director of the NEA Career and Technical Center; Leon Brown, Technology Coordinator for Crowley’s Ridge Educational Service Cooperative; and Michael Graham, Dean of Secondary Programs at Arkansas Northeastern College.

Congressman Crawford’s 2024 Congressional App Challenge winners from NEACTC. 

Pictured from left to right: Liberty Bell, Lilly Yocum, Congressman Rick Crawford, Aydan Elmore, Victor Osorio, and instructor, Chase Smith.

Congressman Crawford’s 2024 Congressional App Challenge Second-Place Team from Valley View High School.

Pictured from left to right: Jonesboro Mayor Harold Copenhaver, Charles Kelly, Congressman Rick Crawford, and Hazim Ragab.