WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) welcomed R.B. Hudson Middle School 7th grade students Alexis Perry, Corbyn Boyd and Diante Thomas, the 2018 Congressional App Challenge winners from Alabama’s 7^th Congressional District, to Washington, D.C.

“I am so proud of Alexis, Corbyn and Diante. Not only did they learn about app development, but they told me how much they learned about teamwork and the importance of collaborative creativity,” Sewell said. “The Congressional App Challenge opens doors of opportunity for so many aspiring engineers and software developers. I am excited to host these students and their science teacher and Robotics Club leader, Ms. Sherry Jackson, in Washington this week for what I hope will be an unforgettable experience. I gave them a personally-guided tour of the Capitol, including an opportunity to visit the floor of the House of Representatives.”

Their winning app, "Snackable," allows students to purchase snacks from the school to help fundraise for various school activities, including R.B. Hudson’s Robotics Club.

The students will attend an official reception Thursday afternoon honoring the winners from congressional districts around the country. Their app also will be showcased in the U.S. Capitol for the next year and can be viewed on the Congressional App Challenge website. This is the first year since the competition’s inception in 2013 that an entry from Alabama’s 7^th District will be showcased in the Capitol.

The Congressional App Challenge is designed to engage student creativity and encourage their participation in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. This nationwide event allows students from across the country to compete against their peers by creating and exhibiting their software application, or "app," for mobile, tablet, or computer devices on a platform of their choice.

Photos of the students' visit are available here.