Press Releases

CHERRY HILL, NJ – Today, Rep. Donald Norcross (NJ-01) announced that Michael Breibart, Asher Fred, and Case Hurly from Haddonfield Memorial High School have won the 2024 Congressional App Challenge for New Jersey’s 1st Congressional District. The student’s app, Mental Plus, connects students with psychologists and psychiatrists, allowing them to communicate and schedule appointments for mental health support – all for free.

“I would like to congratulate Michael, Asher, and Case for their outstanding achievement in developing an app that makes mental health support more accessible,” said Rep. Norcross. “As a mental health advocate in Congress, it’s great to see New Jersey students working to combat our nation’s mental health crisis. Taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health, and young innovators like Michael, Asher, and Case are helping to ensure students learn to prioritize this vital healthcare.”

Watch Michael, Asher, and Case’s video explaining their app here.

The Congressional App Challenge is designed to engage student creativity and encourage their participation in STEM fields. This nationwide event allows high school students from across the country to compete against their peers by creating and exhibiting their software applications on a platform of their choice.

Winning apps from congressional districts across the country are eligible for display in the U.S. Capitol and featured on the House of Representatives website. Winners are invited to Washington, DC, to attend a summit called #HouseOfCode where they can display their apps to members of Congress and members of the technology community.

Information on this year’s #HouseOfCode can be found here

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