Congressional staffer urges Fairmount Heights students to enter App Challenge, highlights grant opportunities

Jason Pruden, a representative from Congressman Ivy’s office, told the Fairmount Heights Town Council on Oct. 16 that the congressman is prioritizing constituents in Maryland’s 4th District and encouraged local students to enter the Congressional App Challenge and related STEM programs.

Pruden said the App Challenge offers local judging, national recognition and opportunities for scholarships and exposure, and urged parents and teachers to steer students toward submitting projects. "They're writing sophisticated applications…We want them to apply to the Congressional App Challenge," Pruden said, adding the panel judging the applications will select local winners who can advance to national consideration. He noted the deadline was approaching but that some students had already applied.

Pruden also described congressional nominations for service academies, saying seniors should apply now and juniors should begin preparing. He said his office has extended internal deadlines and will run an interview panel of veterans to recommend candidates to the congressman, and cited Oct. 31 as the new internal deadline mentioned at the meeting.

The office representative urged the town to consider Community Project Funding, a program Pruden described as flexible and a useful resource for municipalities seeking money for local projects. "This is more like the wild wild west of grants," Pruden said, advising staff to contact designated grant staff in the congressman's office for guidance and assistance with applications.

Pruden left flyers and contact information for residents and for the town to use in outreach. He offered to follow up with the council’s communications team and said staff would be available to help those who need assistance applying.