Zone wins Rep. Valerie P. Foushee’s 2025 Congressional App Challenge in North Carolina’s Fourth District

When asked what inspired the creation of Zone, the students said, “Junior year can feel overwhelming with classes, college prep, and constant notifications. Everywhere we looked, students were on their phones during lessons, even when they wanted to focus. Teachers tried to keep control, but the distractions kept growing. It became clear this wasn’t just our school. It was happening everywhere.

“When our state passed a rule banning phones during class, the change sounded simple. In practice, it caused new challenges. Parents needed to contact their kids for rides or emergencies. Teachers wanted students to pay attention without having to monitor devices. Students were searching for a way to stay focused while still staying connected to family. That situation became the starting point for Zone.

“We began imagining how phones could adapt to where someone was. In a classroom, the phone could limit distractions. In a library, it could switch into study mode. At home, everything could open back up again. The idea was to make focus easier, not forced.

“Our first version used GPS to create ‘focus zones’ around schools and libraries. Friends tested it by selecting which apps to block during class while keeping essential ones available. When they left the area, the phone automatically returned to normal. Their feedback helped shape the design. They wanted a clear setup, simple notifications, and a short override option for urgent moments. They also liked seeing how long they had stayed focused and wanted that data to feel rewarding.

“After talking with parents and counselors, we refined it further. They asked for openness and features that built trust. We added visible timers, optional notifications when a session began or ended, and small rewards for consistent focus.

“Now we’re looking into ways to make ‘zones’ even more precise, perhaps focusing only on a desk or within a bedroom. Our long-term vision includes exploring hardware that makes this possible. But the purpose remains the same: helping students protect their attention, giving teachers peace in the classroom, and reassuring families that balance is possible.

“Zone was created from a problem we saw every day. We wanted to make focus feel natural again and give people a tool that quietly supports their goals.”