Washington, DC - Congressman Van Drew has announced the winners of the 2024 Congressional App Challenge for New Jersey's 2nd District. Saketh Agava and Prathik Agava were recognized for their app, Gift8. This competition is held nationwide to encourage middle and high school students to develop original apps, showcasing their coding skills and creativity.
The inspiration for Gift8 came from Saketh and Prathik's volunteer work with a hospice patient. The app is designed to help users maintain connections with loved ones by encouraging them to spend eight minutes daily reaching out to family or friends. It features reminders, articles on social connection and mental health, and an easy way to send messages directly within the app.
Congressman Van Drew expressed his pride in the young developers, stating, "I am so proud of Saketh and Prathik for creating such a thoughtful and inspiring app." He added that Gift8 exemplifies how technology can positively impact people's lives. He congratulated all participants in this year's competition, noting their creativity and hard work as outstanding. "They give me so much hope for the future," he remarked.
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