Dear Friends,

One of the best parts of my job is getting to meet and highlight the incredible students in Kentucky’s Second District. Through my congressional office, I host the Congressional Art Competition, Congressional App Challenge, and Academy Day for students interested in applying to one of our prestigious service academies.

Rep. Guthrie Hosting the 2021 Service Academy Information Fair in September

This week I was excited to announce the 2021 Congressional App Challenge winners. I host this annual competition to inspire students to develop more coding skills, further their education, and ultimately to succeed in their future careers. In addition to the Congressional App Challenge, I also want to share the work I have been doing this Congress to promote greater access to educational opportunities for Kentucky students and their families.

Congressional App Challenge

This year we had a record of 55 apps turned in for the Congressional App Challenge. Students can work as a team or as an individual to create their apps. Video presentations are created by students to explain their apps and a panel of computer science professionals in Kentucky’s Second District decide the winners. All the high school and middle school winners are highlighted on my congressional website and the overall winner has the opportunity to attend the #HouseofCode event. The overall winner’s app is also displayed on the U.S. House of Representatives’ website and is eligible to be displayed in the U.S. Capitol building.

The overall first place winner is Emma Bunch from Glasgow High School with the comprehensive cancer app, “Cure.” This app provides information about cancer treatments, research, and financial assistance. It includes “Cure Talk” interviews with cancer survivors, an Al bot named Hope to answer questions about cancer, and many more features.

Click HERE to watch the video presentation

The overall second place winners are Grant Harper and Madeline Prichard from Barren County High School with their after-school dismissal solution app, “Smart-Q.” This provides text message and/or email notifications when a student’s transportation is near and gives parents status updates on their child’s transportation.

Click HERE to watch the video presentation

Click HERE to watch the video presentation

The following middle school winners are from Hebron Middle School. Macy Hobak and Molly Johnson won first place with their app, “Women’s Rights Through History”; Emilee LaFollette won second place with the app, “Fall Baking Madness”; and Jacob Goins and Micah Taylor won third place with their app, “Star Collector 1.0.”

Congressional Work

In addition to hosting congressional student competitions, I have also promoted education through legislation this year. I reintroduced the Early Educators Apprenticeship Act to help address the shortage of qualified early childhood educators, especially in underserved and rural areas. This bill would support states in their efforts to increase apprenticeships for early childhood education. It’s critical that kids up to five years old have a strong start to their education by learning from dedicated, passionate, and qualified educators.

As co-chair of the Congressional Apprenticeship Caucus, I am a strong supporter of apprenticeship programs and encourage my colleagues in Congress to support this education and workforce development tool for communities. I also helped reintroduce the Promoting Apprenticeships through Regional Training Networks for Employers’ Required Skills (PARTNERS) Act to help small and medium-sized businesses develop work-based learning programs. Additionally, I have cosponsored the Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Act to award loan repayment agreements to public health professionals and help mitigate workforce shortages in this field.

Rep. Guthrie at the Breckinridge County Area Technology Center earlier this year

To help children at a young age with their hearing and development, I reintroduced the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Act, which the U.S. House of Representatives passed this week. I have championed this bill since 2015 to reauthorize a program that promotes early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of infants with hearing loss. Early detection is key during the critical years of development for young children and their families and ensures children and their families have access to the resources needed to improve future health outcomes.

I would also like to share that I supported authorization of a new Fort Knox Child Development Center in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Last year I was also proud to support the new Van Voorhis Elementary School at Fort Knox in the NDAA.

CAROL Act

I want to congratulate my friend and fellow Kentuckian, Representative Andy Barr on the House passing the CAROL Act this week. Andy is championing this bill in honor of his late wife, Carol, who passed away at the young age of 39 from sudden cardiac death. This bill will combat valvular heart disease by providing more resources to help health care providers effectively detect and treat individuals living with valvular heart disease. The CAROL Act came before the committee I serve on, the Energy and Commerce Committee. I was proud to be a strong, vocal supporter of the CAROL Act in every step of the legislative process and urge a swift passage in the U.S. Senate in order to help other families avoid the tragedy that has impacted Andy’s family.

Click HERE to watch Rep. Guthrie support the CAROL Act when it was before E&C in October

In Case You Missed It

WCLU Radio: Glasgow High’s Bunch Wins First Place Overall In Congressional App Challenge, BCHS Places Second

Owensboro Radio: Guthrie Votes for Child Care Center at Fort Knox, Pay Raises for Troops in Updated Version of NDAA

Spectrum News: Guthrie Sponsoring Early Hearing Detection Bill

Go Army, Beat Navy

I love the Navy except for about 3 hours on a Saturday in December. That Saturday football game is tomorrow. Go Army! Beat Navy!

How Can I Help?

My office and I are happy to help you and provide assistance with navigating federal agencies. Please click HERE or call 270-842-9896 to contact my office.