Rep. Huffman Announces Winner of the House Student App Challenge Competition

June 30, 2014

SAN RAFAEL, CA—Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) today announced that Preston Crowe, a 10th grader from San Rafael High School, is winner of the first-ever House Student App Challenge. Preston’s submission is a game called “Stealth Square,” wherein the player controls a green square and navigates through levels while avoiding contact with enemies, collecting keys, unlocking doors, and collecting points. According to judges, the game hearkens back to video game classics like Galaga and PacMan, an impressive feat for a young coder.

Huffman met with Preston in his San Rafael District Office and presented him with a Certificate of Congressional Recognition in honor of his accomplishment. Preston’s app will be featured on the U.S. House of Representatives’ website and on display in a U.S. Capitol exhibit alongside apps from each participating congressional district.

Preston coded this game for his first semester final for his Introduction to Computer Programming class, and according to judges, he demonstrated knowledge of challenging coding, including collision detection. A video of Preston’s winning app can be found HERE.

“Congratulations to Preston Crowe for his winning submission for the first-ever House Student App Challenge! Preston’s game, Stealth Square, was a great demonstration of all that he learned in his Computer Programming class at San Rafael High School, and the importance of STEM education for our future,” Huffman said. “Preston and the other competitors showed exceptional tech-savvy and potential, and I see a very bright future for each of them.”

About the House Student App Challenge:

Established by the U.S. House of Representatives in 2013, this competition is part of a nationwide event that invites high school students from all participating congressional districts to compete by creating and exhibiting their software application, or “app,” for mobile, tablet, or computer devices on a platform of their choice. It is designed to promote innovation and engagement in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education fields. 

Apps are judged based on the following criteria: quality of the idea, including creativity and originality; implementation of the idea, including user experience and design; and demonstrated excellence of coding and programming skills.