U.S. Rep. Harold “Hal” Rogers welcomed a team of students from Belfry Middle School to Capitol Hill on April 24 after they won the Congressional App Challenge, representing Kentucky’s Fifth Congressional District at the annual #HouseofCode event.
The event highlights student innovation in technology and gives young people an opportunity to showcase their skills in Washington, DC. The Belfry Middle School team created a mobile app called “SafeLink,” designed to help people access emergency information and assistance during flooding and other natural disasters.
Rogers said, “Our students not only created an innovative mobile app, they designed something to address real needs in Eastern Kentucky when natural disasters strike in our rural region. I’m incredibly proud that these middle school students not only proved their ability to engineer an app, but they also displayed the true heart of our region to serve and help our neighbors. All Eastern Kentuckians would be proud to see this group representing our region among the many talented students from across the country.”
Team member Liam Baldwin explained, “The app lets users mark themselves as SAFE or send out a message that they need help. It also shows nearby reports and safe locations on an interactive map. SafeLink connects people like victims, volunteers, and first responders so everyone can communicate and respond faster.” Gunner Dotson added, “When someone presses the ‘I Need Help’ button, it shares their location and details about what kind of help they need. If they are safe, they can tap ‘I’m Safe,’ which lets friends, family, and responders know they’re okay.” Ava Hatfield said that SafeLink can connect with nearby users even if internet service is down: “We added this so that in floods, storms or other disasters people can still send alerts and find each other.” Riley Romero noted that simulated emergency alerts for drills were included as well: “The app can also send simulated emergency alerts for drills…to help students practice what to do.”
Andrew Baldwin of Belfry Middle School said: “Learning to code in today’s world is as important as learning how to swim. The skills they learn from this experience will be carried with them no matter what career path they choose…Our students were thrilled to be in Washington for this historic trip.” Reed Adkins of Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR) said: “This is what Shaping Our Appalachian Region is all about – investing in the next generation of innovators, engineers and leaders.” Lonnie Lawson from The Center for Rural Development added: “Our students have the resources they need right here in the mountains…and these students are proving they don’t have to leave our region to accomplish their goals.”
According to publicly available records, Hal Rogers has represented Kentucky’s 5th district since replacing Tim Lee Carter in 1981. He previously served in the Kentucky House of Representatives according to biographical data. Born in Barrier, Kentucky in 1937, Rogers now lives in Somerset at age 85. He graduated from Western Kentucky University with a BA degree before earning his JD from University of Kentucky School of Law .
The next Congressional App Challenge opens May 1 with entries accepted until October 26.
