Rep. Johnson announces winners of Congressional App Challenge

LITHONIA, GA – On Friday, Feb. 19, 2016, Rep. Hank Johnson (GA-04) recognized the top three students of his inaugural App Challenge—a competition that encourages U.S. high school students to create their own mobile applications.

Three Stone Mountain High School students swept the competition.

First place went to senior Heru Samuel, 18, for his app idea that makes it easy to transfer data from one phone to another. Second place went to junior Tariq Booker, 16, whose app idea challenges every member of society to give back to their community and volunteer in local projects. Third place went to senior Nikedra Dooley, 19, for her app idea making it more efficient to apply to college.

Johnson’s office collected more than 20 submissions from high schools in the Fourth District, which includes parts of DeKalb, Gwinnett, and Newton and all of Rockdale County. Samuel’s app idea will be displayed on the Congressional App Challenge website and be exhibited on a digital display in the Capitol Building for the year.

The panel of judges included Super Soaker inventor Lonnie Johnson, CISCO instructor Theresa Williams, Hip Hop recording artist/reality show personality Yung Joc, Sciberus CEO Laron Walker, NBA analyst Dennis Scott and recording artist Kodie Shane. They evaluated the apps on creativity, convenience, and mobility.

The App Challenge highlighted the value of computer science and STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). Of the 435 members of the House of Representatives, Congressman Johnson ranked in the top 10 of his peers for the number of app competition submissions.

“Science and technology are transforming our world and we must do all we can to ensure our kids are taking part in and helping shape the changing economy,” said Johnson. “I’m proud of the students who participated in our first challenge. They have showcased some of the Fourth Congressional District’s brightest young minds as they take on cutting-edge technology that is becoming an increasing part of all our lives.”

At the recognition ceremony, Johnson, Walker, District 5 DeKalb County Board of Education Member Vickie Turner, DeKalb schools Tangela Kimber and Shane helped Congressman Johnson congratulate the top three students with words of encouragement, as well as provide knowledge on how to get their apps on the market.

Cultine: From left: Tariq Booker, Rep. Johnson, Nikedra Dooley, Heru Samuel, Laron Walker, Kodie Shane, Tangela Kimber, Lonnie Johnson, Vickie Turner.