SUNY Oswego’s Women in Computing (WiC) club earned recognition at WiCHacks 2026, taking home the Best Use of ElevenLabs award for their innovative AI-powered application, AllyCo.

On March 1–2, a group of students traveled to the Rochester Institute of Technology to participate in WiCHacks, a 24-hour hackathon focused on fostering creativity, collaboration and technical skill. Over the course of the event, students worked intensively to design and develop projects addressing real-world challenges.

WiC members Shrishtika Bajracharya, Bivushi Basnet, Yashaswi Shrestha and Praneeta Pradhan earned the Best Use of ElevenLabs (sponsored by Major League Hacking) award for their project, AllyCo, an app designed to help users practice speaking up in sensitive scenarios and build confidence to intervene effectively.

In addition, Emma Halsey, Su Shoon Lei Khaing, Apriah Scruggs-Muhammad, Min Phone Maw, Oak Soe Jaw and Hadassah Johnson also showcased their creativity and technical skills through their own projects, highlighting the club’s collective talent and innovation at WiCHacks 2026.

AllyCo gives users realistic scenarios such as addressing gender bias, racial microaggressions or misgendering by allowing users to practice responses through voice-based roleplay while receiving coaching-style feedback in real time. The app encourages confidence and respectful intervention, with features like Open Voice Chat, mission-based scenarios, badges and daily streaks to reinforce consistent practice.

Built using technical tools Next.js, Gemini, ElevenLabs and deployed via Vercel, the project emphasizes “practice over perfection,” helping users respond sooner and more effectively in challenging situations. The team developed the project entirely during the 24-hour hackathon.

“Winning a category was exciting, but the real highlight was seeing how much our team learned and grew while building something meaningful,” said Yashaswi, vice president of Women in Computing.

“Hackathons are always a little chaotic, you start with a half-formed idea, a lot of caffeine, and somehow 24 hours later there’s a real project in front of you,” said Bajracharya, president of Women in Computing and co-director of LakerHacks 2026. “Being there with the Women in Computing team made the experience even better because we were learning, building and troubleshooting together the entire time.”

The variety of connections gained were valuable as well, Bajracharya noted.

“It was also amazing connecting with other students, sponsors and employers at the event," she added. "Everyone was excited to share ideas and support each other. We even managed to sneak in a little LakerHacks promotion during conversations, which made it even more fun.” 

“Winning with my team was such an empowering experience. I’m excited to be part of the organizing team for LakerHacks and help create a space where hackers feel inspired to build something they’re proud of, just like we did,” said Praneeta, one of the organizers of LakerHacks, which they look to host again on the SUNY Oswego campus.

WiC at Oswego’s success at WiCHacks underscores the club’s commitment to fostering innovation, teamwork and opportunities for students in technology.

-- Submitted by Women in Computing