Let's Rewind and look at your impact!
The Congressional Award is excited to share a snapshot of all the amazing events, program updates, and impact that our youth participants have made this year.Â
From volunteering in their local communities to taking on challenging physical fitness activities, bettering themselves and improving upon skills, and stepping out of their comfort zones, our participants have truly demonstrated their dedication to personal and civic growth. We’re so proud of all that they’ve accomplished and can’t wait to see what they’ll achieve in the future.
Check out our 2023 highlights and follow us on social media + join our mailing list for more updates!
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Gold Medals Earned: 628
Silver Medals Earned: 926
Bronze Medals Earned: 1,359
Certificates Earned: 3,537
Number of Active Participants: 45,530
State with the most Medalists: California
Your Impact is Making Headlines
‘True Grit and Determination’: Ridgefield Star Student |Â Patch.com
February 7, 2023
Star Students are found in classrooms, on concert and theater stages and at debate lecterns, and out in the community doing good things to make life better for all of us…
Saipan student earns Congressional Award Gold Medal |Â Marianas Variety
July 12, 2023
Linxi Cai of Saipan International School has just been awarded the Congressional Award Gold Medal — Congress’ highest honor for civilian youth. This medal honors youth for their commitment to voluntary public service...
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A magical thing happened when a D.C. teen interviewed Magic Johnson | The Washington Post
October 18, 2023
Jordan Williams never expected to become the story.
As a student journalist, he is used to asking other people questions and watching the cameras focus on them. But at one point during a news conference a few weeks ago...
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Utah teen receives Congressional Award Gold Medal for outstanding community service |Â KSL-TV
November 25, 2023 A Utah Teen has received a prestigious award from Congress. The honor took four years to achieve, involving hundreds of hours of volunteer and personal work, and it has made a difference for the high school seniors and the Salt Lake community… Read more
2023 State Ceremonies
Maryland
In partnership with Otsuka‘s mental health initiative, CAF recognized 110 MD medalists at the University of Maryland, College Park. The celebration, which occurred in June, included Congressman Glenn Ivey (MD-04) and Congressman David Trone (MD-06) who presented medals and certificates to the young achievers. Read the press release.
Mississippi
The Congressional Award partnered with Mississippi 4-H to honor 58 young medalists last August, with seven medalists also earning a special STEM Star distinction, which is sponsored by Ferring Pharmaceuticals. Linda Mitchell, who is a Congressional Award board member and Head of the Center for 4-H Youth Development, was also highlighted for her role in establishing the role between the two organizations. Former Congressman Gregg Harper (MS-03) and Senator Roger Wicker (MS) congratulated the young earners at the ceremony. Read the press release for more details.
2023 Program Highlights
Hosted our first Gold Medal Summit at Capitol Hill
2023 Gold Medalists were invited to Washington, D.C. for a 3-day celebration for earning their medals. The Summit included a Nationals baseball game, the opportunity to meet their Members of Congress, and attend various speaker panels featuring subject matter experts in areas like STEM (sponsored by Ferring Pharmaceuticals) and women in leadership. The event concluded with a formal dinner at the Ronald Reagan Building with welcome remarks from Chairman of the Board Paxton Baker, Sen. Cynthia Lummis, Sen. Debbie Dingell, and a fireside chat with NASA’s Charles F. Bolden. View the press release for more details and access our Flickr for photos.
Welcomed educators to the Congressional Award Education Leadership Summit – another first!
The CAF National Office piloted the Education Leadership Summit to gather educators and program partners across the country in brainstorming future collaborations with our program. Education leaders formed unique relationships amongst each other with some piloting their own programs with the Congressional Award within their school districts. View the photo album from this event.
Partnered with FMC Corporation on our first case competition
The Congressional Award hosted a competition with FMC for the students at W.B. Saul High School and Lankenau High School participating in The Congressional Award program. Student-led teams were given an agricultural case study designed by FMC to develop a solution for, utilizing practical, real-world knowledge gained from their studies at school within a specified time frame.
Provided extensive Submittable support on our new webpage
Participants must submit their online Record Book through Submittable. We created a separate support page to answer all your FAQs! Visit the page for more information.
That’s a Wrap on 2023!
In the past year, our participants immersed themselves in self-improvement, developing their skills in their areas of passion, cultivating new interests, enhancing their fitness, and pushing their boundaries. Above all, they embraced the significance of giving back to their communities—a gift that perpetually enriches both giver and receiver. As we approach 2024, we eagerly anticipate witnessing our youth participants unfold their potential, and embracing the transformative impact of giving back.