Arnia Goode '24 Wins 2022 Congressional App Challenge

Rep. Steny Hoyer has named Indian Creek School junior Arnia Goode as the winner of the 2022 Congressional App Challenge in Maryland’s Fifth District.  

Arnia won this award for "Friday Night Lights," an app she created that gives recommendations and details for things to do in the Annapolis area after users share criteria like number of people, cost, type of activity, and more.

When asked what inspired the creation of Friday Night Lights, Arnia said, ”My inspiration behind making this app was that I really enjoy spending time with my friends on weekends. However, we often find ourselves in the situation of not knowing what we should do. Going to the mall to shop and getting lunch/dinner downtown are worn out activities. So, I started doing research on other things to do in the Annapolis area. I now want to share my research with other people who may be experiencing similar problems, in a fun way.”

The Congressional App Challenge is an official initiative of the U.S. House of Representatives, where Members of Congress host contests in their districts for students, encouraging them to learn to code and inspiring them to pursue careers in computer science. Arnia was chosen from 9,011 students who participated in this year’s competition – creating 2,707 fully-functioning apps for 335 Members of Congress across 50 states, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Mariana Islands, American Samoa, and the District of Columbia.

Arnia received her award and displayed her app at the United States Capitol on Tuesday, April 18, at the House of Code festival. 

More information and a video demonstration of Arnia's Friday Night Lights app can be viewed at this link.