Circa wins Rep. Rick Allen’s 2023 Congressional App Challenge in Georgia’s 12th District

Rep. Allen has named Iziq Thomas, Kunsh Sharma, and Jerry Fan of Lakeside High School as the winners of the 2023 Congressional App Challenge in Georgia’s 12th District.

When asked what inspired the creation of Circa, the students said, “Circa was born out of a profound understanding of the challenges that people, particularly students, face in their pursuit of balance, mental health, and well-being. The catalyst for our app’s creation was a combination of critical observations and a deep commitment to making a positive impact.

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted our lives and highlighted the difficulties we, like many other students, encountered in readjusting to the routines of school, academics, social life, and family responsibilities. This firsthand experience spurred us to develop Circa as a tool to help individuals regain their equilibrium after such disruptive events.

Mental health crises have surged in recent years, compounded by the growing pressure on students to excel academically and in life. We recognized the pressing need to provide resources and support to those grappling with mental health issues and strive to make a difference.

Our resolve to create Circa was further strengthened by a devastating incident in our community, where a friend took his own life due to the intense stress associated with school. This tragic event served as a poignant reminder of the profound trauma that mental health crises can inflict. It became our mission to create an app that could offer vital mental health support to prevent such heartbreaking outcomes.

We firmly believe that everyone, irrespective of age or background, can benefit from more balance and less stress in their lives. According to The United States Commonwealth Fund, a significant percentage of U.S. adults suffer from mental health diagnoses or emotional distress, making it a pervasive concern. Circa is our response to this issue, designed to provide solace and support to individuals seeking a healthier, more balanced life.

Recognizing a gap in the market, we set out to create Circa as a comprehensive app that prioritizes the core values of balance in life. We saw an opportunity to provide a single app that caters to the diverse needs of users looking to enhance their mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

In essence, Circa was created as a beacon of hope and empowerment for individuals striving to regain their balance, nurture their mental health, and find solace amid life’s challenges. It is a testament to our commitment to making a difference and offering a holistic solution for those in need of support on their journey toward well-being and equilibrium.”

This year’s Challenge saw an unprecedented level of participation, with 374 Members of the House of Representatives hosting competitions, surpassing the previous record of 340. A remarkable 11,334 students from across the United States competed in this year’s Challenge, marking an impressive increase of nearly 1,000 participants compared to the previous record set in 2019. The enthusiasm and creativity these students display is a testament to the growing interest in technology and signal a bright future for American innovation. The surge of ingenuity continued with a whopping 3,645 original applications flooding in, nearly a thousand more than the previous year’s high. This remarkable growth showcases the exceptional talent and innovation within our nation’s youth.

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 middle school and high school students, encouraging them to learn to code and inspiring them to pursue careers in computer science. This resounding show of bipartisan support emphasizes the critical importance of STEM education in today’s rapidly evolving world. Each participating Member of Congress selects a winning app from their district, and each winning team is invited to showcase their winning app to Congress during our annual #HouseOfCode festival