U.S. Rep. Ryan Announces 13th District Congressional App Challenge Winner

AKRON, Ohio — Rashaad Simmon, a 12th grade student at the National Inventors Hall of Fame STEM School, is the winner of the Congressional App Challenge from the 13th District.

U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-13 Ohio, made the announcement, commending Simmons for his work.

“I am proud of Rashaad for his commitment and hard work in produce this winning video game,” Ryan said in a release. “The Congressional App Challenge can help students recognize the real-life opportunities that come from doing what you love while providing a real value for others. Every student who participated in the Congressional App Challenge will help us reshape our future and move our communities forward.”

The challenge was created to give students a hands-on opportunity to learn and implement STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) and computer-based skills. The goal is to get those students ready for in-demand jobs, as the U.S. may be short by as many as a million programmers by 2020, according to the release.

“I have always been interested in video games,” Simmons said. “It is my dream to design and code games as a career. I appreciate the App Challenge as an opportunity to display my talent and passion.”

Simmons’ adviser for the project was Ralph Appleby, a teacher at the National Inventors Hall of Fame STEM School.

“Rashaad showed tremendous interest in coding when he was a freshman, but his skills were still raw,” Appleby said. “Watching his perseverance and grit in working on his craft has been a great pleasure. He is capable of great things, and his growth and application of skills represent core values for our learners at NIHF STEM High School.”

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.