Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) on Thursday praised the winners of the New Jersey Fourth Congressional District’s 2018 Congressional App Challenge for their hard work, ingenuity, and desire to help others through their software app “BrainHack”.

“Liam, Erica and Anthony earned this award for their teamwork and excellence, and their effort to serve other people,” Smith said. “Their app ‘BrainHack’ is designed to help persons struggling with memory loss and dementias such as Alzheimer’s, guiding them through fun mental exercises to strengthen creativity and memory-related functions.”

“Their impressive app not only showcases their technical expertise, but it performs a valuable service for others who need assistance,” Smith said.

The creators of “BrainHack” all attend Communications High School in Wall: Liam Marshall of Sea Girt; Erica Sammarco of Colts Neck; and Anthony Sasso of Colts Neck. On Thursday evening, they will be honored with other students from around the country at the ‘House of Code’ reception on Capitol Hill where they can present their app.

The Congressional App Challenge is a nationwide competition, created in 2014, for high school students to work with their peers to develop computer coding and software application skills. The challenge was created to foster STEM skills (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) among young students as preparation for a possible career in fields like cybersecurity, intellectual property, and the software app economy.

All apps submitted to the NJ-04 competition were judged by a three-member panel with extensive experience in STEM fields: Roy LaManna of Freehold, the President and CEO of Vydia, Christopher Kelly of Hamilton, the UE/UI Designer at Vonage, and Debrah Smith (no relation to Rep. Smith) of Jackson, the Director of Administration/ Director of Information Technology for a large law office.