Senior Nicia Warren is Recognized for Creating an App that Connects Residents with Local Food Drives and Banks
ROOSEVELT, NEW YORK (JANUARY 2026)—The Roosevelt School District is proud to announce that Roosevelt High School senior Nicia Warren has been named the winner of the New York District Four Congressional App Challenge.
Nicia earned the prestigious recognition for her interactive map-based app, “Find My Food Drive.” The app features a local database of food drives and banks, allowing hosts to post and seek donations while enabling individuals and families in need to easily locate food resources within their communities. Through its user-friendly design and meaningful purpose, the app addresses food insecurity by connecting those who want to give with those in need of support.
“I designed the Find My Food Drive App to combat the loss of SNAP benefits in the community and battle food insecurity,” said Nicia Warren, adding that she was motivated by discussions with friends and neighbors to address a need in her community. Winning the competition wasn’t even on her mind, she said, and the announcement left her in shock and awe that her work was recognized at a national level.
Nicia was officially recognized by Congresswoman Laura Gillen during a formal ceremony held at the Cradle of Aviation, where she was honored alongside the top student participants in the competition. As part of her accomplishment, Nicia was also invited to Washington, D.C., where her app will be displayed at the U.S. Capitol for one year, highlighting her work on a national stage.
“Nicia has done a tremendous amount of work preparing and putting together this special app that is going to be a benefit to all our families in Nassau County by identifying local food banks and connecting them with those resources,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Shawn Wightman. “The application of everything she has learned in our schools has been applied throughout this competition and we’re very proud of her accomplishment and wish her continued success. She has a great future ahead of herself.”
“We are truly honored and inspired by her, her greatness, and the positive attention she is bringing to our community and our District,” said Roosevelt High School Principal Keith Saunders. “Success is contagious, and Nicia’s achievement is motivating our other students to achieve and inspire.”
The Congressional App Challenge is a nationwide competition designed to encourage creativity, problem-solving, and innovation among students interested in technology and computer science. During the award ceremony, Congresswoman Gillen lauded Nicia for her innovation and ingenuity, and expressed appreciation for the dedication of all students who entered the challenge.
