This week, Congressman Vince Fong (CA-20) announced that Shashank Ramasubramanian, a freshman at Centennial High School, has been named the 2025 Congressional App Challenge winner for California’s 20th District.
Shashank developed ReStart, an app built with Python to assist people experiencing homelessness in finding job opportunities and completing daily income-generating tasks. The platform collaborates with local agencies and employers to match participants with jobs, aiming to support individuals working toward long-term stability.
“The Congressional App Challenge empowers the next generation of American innovators, and Shashank’s work is a remarkable example of how technology can improve lives and strengthen our community,” said Congressman Fong (CA-20). “His creativity, compassion, and technical skill all shine through in ReStart. We are proud to honor him as this year’s winner and excited to see what he accomplishes next.”
The competition was open to middle and high school students who either live in or attend school within California’s 20th District. Submissions were reviewed by Judge Chris Diniz, Associate Vice President and Chief Information Officer at CSU Bakersfield.
As part of his recognition, Shashank’s app will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol Building and featured on the House of Representatives’ website. He also plans to participate in the #HouseofCode Reception in Spring 2026 where winners from across the country will present their apps to Members of Congress and technology leaders.
The Congressional App Challenge was established through House Resolution 77 – Academic Competition Resolution of 2013 as a nationwide effort to encourage students’ interest in STEM fields by inviting them to design original software applications.
