FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tampa, Fl. (January 16, 2026) – The School District proudly recognizes students from Lennard High School’s Collegiate Program for earning top honors in the 2025 Congressional App Challenge with Congressman Vern Buchanan, a national competition that celebrates student innovation and excellence in computer science.
Lennard High School students Gabriel Raymond Cacho and Omar Halwani were named winners for their innovative mobile and wearable application, Senior Health Guardian–AI. The app uses artificial intelligence, real-time monitoring, and fall-detection technology to help safeguard the health and independence of senior citizens.
“Congratulations to Gabriel and Omar for this remarkable achievement,” Superintendent Van Ayres said. “Their success reflects the strength of our Collegiate Programs and our commitment to preparing students for high-demand STEM careers while empowering them to solve real-world problems that improve lives.”
The students were formally recognized by Congressman Vern Buchanan, who praised their ingenuity and the broader impact of their work on healthcare innovation. The team’s app addresses a critical national issue, as millions of Americans age 65 and older experience falls each year. By leveraging AI to monitor health trends and detect falls in real time, the students’ solution helps seniors remain independent while providing peace of mind to caregivers and families.
Senior Health Guardian–AI analyzes walking patterns that may indicate early signs of Parkinson’s disease and monitors additional health indicators, including sleep quality and oxygen levels. When a fall or concerning pattern is detected, the system immediately alerts caregivers, allowing for faster responses and improved health outcomes.
Cacho and Halwani join ten other Hillsborough County Public School students to be recognized by one of their representatives in Congress:
Congresswoman Laural Lee’s App Challenge winners:
Sarayu Karedla, Yashika Garg, Navita Mishira (Middleton High School)
Alex Sun (Steinbrenner High School)
Sahil Patel, Krishiv Patel, Shaan Patel (Steinbrenner High School)
Congresswoman Kathy Castor’s App Challenge winners:
Sharan Santharam Srinivasan, Ammar Omar, and Sujay Korada (Robinson HS)
As winners of the Congressional App Challenge, the students’ application will be featured on House.gov for one year and hosted on CongressionalAppChallenge.us. Gabriel and Omar will also receive waived copyright registration fees under the ARTS Act, a significant benefit for young innovators entering the technology field.