Sw Louisiana News

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Lily (Gyeongyun) Min, a student at Alfred M. Barbe High School in Lake Charles, Louisiana, has been announced as the overall winner of the 2023 Congressional App Challenge for Louisiana’s 3rd District. Congressman Clay Higgins made the announcement, praising Lily for her winning app titled "Freshmate."

Lily's app, "Freshmate," is designed to tackle the issue of unintentional food waste. As a food enthusiast, Lily created the app after realizing that she often purchased more food than she could consume, leading to wastage. The app aims to promote better food management by helping users keep track of expiration dates.

Congratulating Lily on her achievement, Congressman Higgins said, "Lily used her artistic and creative talent to create a user-friendly app interface that helps individuals of every age keep track of the food in their kitchen. In times of economic uncertainty, apps like this can help families save money and time sorting through their refrigerators and pantries. This year saw some high levels of competition and was a tough choice for our judges."

Lily herself expressed her inspiration for creating "Freshmate," saying, "Inspired by a love for exploring new food and a commitment to reducing food waste, I embarked on the journey of creating this app. Witnessing the impact of food waste on both the environment and our wallets, I aimed to develop a solution that not only organizes our kitchens but also contributes to a more sustainable and economical lifestyle. Freshmate is a reflection of my passion for innovation and my belief in the power of technology to address real-world challenges."

The Congressional App Challenge was launched by the U.S. House of Representatives in 2015 with the aim of encouraging middle school and high school students to learn coding and pursue careers in computer science. This nationwide initiative allows students to compete against their peers by creating applications or "apps" for mobile, tablet, or computer devices. The competition is organized by congressional district, and the winning apps are showcased at the U.S. Capitol each year.

Lily's victory in the Congressional App Challenge not only highlights her talent and dedication but also demonstrates the potential of young students to make a positive impact through technology. With her app "Freshmate," Lily has shown a commitment to addressing real-world challenges and promoting sustainability.

Click this link to access more information: https://clayhiggins.house.gov/2023/12/15/higgins-announces-lake-charles-student-as-winner-of-the-2023-congressional-app-challenge/