WASHINGTON, DC -- U.S. Rep. Harold "Hal" Rogers (KY-05) welcomed an innovative student team from Belfry Middle School to Capitol Hill on Tuesday. The four middle school students won the Congressional App Challenge, earning the opportunity to represent Kentucky's Fifth Congressional District during the annual #HouseofCode event at the U.S. Capitol Building. 

The winning student team from Belfry Middle School included: Liam Baldwin, Gunner Dotson, Ava Hatfield and Riley Romero. They designed a mobile app called "SafeLink" to help people get emergency information and assistance during flooding and other natural disasters. 

"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," said Congressman Rogers. "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." 

"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," said Baldwin. 

"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," said Dotson.

"SafeLink can also work with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to connect with nearby users even if the internet is down. We added this so that in floods, storms, or other disasters, people can still send alerts and find each other," said Hatfield. 

"The app can also send simulated emergency alerts for drills, like a 'kidnap alert' or 'Amber alert,' to help students practice what to do," said Romero.

"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," said Andrew Baldwin, Belfry Middle School Teacher. "We're thankful that Congressman Rogers invites student participation in this national challenge. Our students were thrilled to be in Washington for this historic trip." 

Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR) and the Center for Rural Development have supported the winners of the Congressional App Challenge for several years, ensuring they have the resources necessary to travel to Washington, DC for the #HouseofCode event.  

“This is what Shaping Our Appalachian Region is all about - investing in the next generation of innovators, engineers and leaders. SOAR is proud to support the efforts of our mountain students who are proving that we have what it takes to compete at the national level,” Reed Adkins, SOAR Executive Director. 

“The Center for Rural Development sends our congratulations to the Belfry Middle School students as they represent the best student app developers in the country. Our students have the resources they need right here in the mountains to achieve great things, and these students are proving they don’t have to leave our region to accomplish their goals,” Lonnie Lawson, President/CEO of the Center for Rural Development. 

The 2026-2027 Congressional App Challenge kicks off on May 1, 2026. Eligible student entries will be accepted until October 26, 2026. Visit congressionalappchallenge.us for details on how to create a mobile app and enter the next challenge for Kentucky's Fifth Congressional District. 

For more information about Congressman Rogers' work in Washington and at home in Kentucky, visit halrogers.house.gov and follow him on social media.