Senior wins Congressional App Challenge

Cosmic Armada is a neon, retro-style multiplayer video game designed for web, iOS, and Android platforms. The game uniquely transforms mobile gaming into a group activity, allowing up to six players to share a single touchscreen for an engaging and interactive experience. Players navigate shimmering spaceships across a futuristic hexagonal grid, competing to avoid collisions, outmaneuver opponents, and be the last ship standing.

“Darcy’s creativity and technical expertise are a testament to the brilliance of our young people in PA-12,” Congresswoman Lee said. “Their app, Cosmic Armada, reimagines the ways we use technology, turning what’s often a solitary experience into a fun, collaborative activity. Darcy has demonstrated not only impressive coding skills but also a passion for bringing people together through technology. This is exactly the kind of innovation that will keep Pittsburgh at the forefront of STEM and gaming industries.”

In developing Cosmic Armada, Darcy used JavaScript and employed advanced techniques, like shader effects, to create the game’s vivid visuals and immersive arcade-inspired synthpop soundtrack. Darcy’s motivation stemmed from a desire to make technology more interactive and social while practicing advanced graphic design techniques.

The Congressional App Challenge provides students across the country with an opportunity to showcase their coding and problem-solving skills. Darcy faced challenges in designing a game that accommodates multiple players on a single device while ensuring smooth gameplay and an intuitive interface, but their persistence and ingenuity paid off in the app’s final design.

“The Congressional App Challenge highlights the immense potential of our young innovators,” Congresswoman Lee said. “Darcy’s accomplishment demonstrates why we must continue to invest in STEM education to unlock the boundless talent right here in our community. Congratulations to Darcy and all of this year’s participants for their incredible work!”

At Upper St. Clair High School, Darcy is a member of the National Honor Society and orchestra, recently being selected for the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association District 1 Honors Orchestra. In addition, Darcy participates in robotics, including competing on teams in the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) and the VEX Robotics Competition. Last fall, Darcy was named a Commended Student in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program as well as an AP Scholar with Distinction.

The Congressional App Challenge is a nationwide competition that inspires students to engage with computer science and coding. The 2025 Congressional App Challenge is open to all students in Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional District and will be accepting submissions until Nov. 1, 2025.

To learn more about the Congressional App Challenge, visit congressionalappchallenge.us.