The Congressional Award

07/04/2026

Happy Fourth of July!

Today, we celebrate the freedoms we enjoy, the communities that bring us together, and the spirit of service that helps strengthen our nation.

At The Congressional Award, we're inspired every day by the young people who are making a difference through service, personal growth, and leadership in communities across the country. Their commitment reminds us that the future of our nation is bright.

Wishing everyone a safe and happy Independence Day!

07/01/2026

🌟 Medalist Spotlight: Linden P. 🌟
📍 Chicago, IL | 🥈 2026 Silver Medalist

Reflecting on her journey to earning the Silver Medal, Linden shared:

"Earning my Silver Medal challenged me to step outside my comfort zone and build meaningful connections. Voluntary Public Service was the most impactful part of my journey. I dedicated myself to addressing food insecurity by organizing inventory at Care for Real and serving hot meals directly to unhoused individuals at St. Theresa’s, which taught me the profound value of treating everyone with dignity. I also expanded my global perspective by volunteering weekly to tutor a student in Ukraine through the ENGin program.

For Personal Development, I participated in various out-of-school classes to grow my knowledge, learn practical skills, and explore new topics to discover what subjects I might enjoy pursuing in the future. My Physical Fitness goals centered around improving my overall health, agility, and endurance through consistent athletic training and practice.

Finally, for my Expedition, I independently planned a five-day outdoor adventure in Driggs, Idaho. Managing the budget, navigating the Teton River on paddleboards, and hiking Grand Targhee tested my problem-solving skills. Overall, this program has transformed me into a more confident, empathetic, and organized leader."

👏 Congratulations, Linden, you earned this!

06/29/2026

Can’t believe it’s already been three weeks since we welcomed the 2026 Gold Medal Class to Washington, D.C. for the Gold Medal Summit!🏅

Over three days, Gold Medalists from across the country came together to celebrate earning Congress’ highest honor for youth, connect with fellow Medalists, meet with Members of Congress, learn from leaders across government, industry, and the nonprofit sector, and create amazing memories. Every moment reflected the dedication, leadership, and impact these young people are making in their communities.

Looking back on these moments makes us even more excited to see what the Class of 2026 accomplishes next. Congratulations again on this extraordinary achievement. We’re so proud of you!

Swipe through for a few more of our favorite moments from Gold Fest. ⭐

06/19/2026

Today, we commemorate Juneteenth, a day of reflection, remembrance, and celebration marking the end of slavery in the United States.

As we honor this important milestone in our nation's history, we also recognize the enduring contributions, achievements, and leadership of African Americans whose impact continues to strengthen communities across the country.

Happy Juneteenth. ❤️🖤💚

06/15/2026

06/12/2026

What an incredible three days in Washington, D.C.!

To all of our Gold Medalists, thank you for making the 2026 Gold Medal Summit such a special experience. It was an honor to celebrate alongside you as you marked this extraordinary achievement and connected with fellow Medalists from across the country.

Thank you as well to the parents, family members, mentors, and supporters who joined us throughout the week. Your encouragement and support play an important role in every Medalist's journey, and we were grateful to have you with us in Washington.

From the Opening Ceremony to Hill Day and the Congressional Baseball Game, this week was filled with meaningful conversations, new friendships, unforgettable memories, and well-deserved celebrations.

Congratulations once again to the Congressional Award Gold Medal Class of 2026. Your dedication, perseverance, and commitment to personal growth and service have brought you to this moment, and we could not be more proud of all you have accomplished.

We loved having you in Washington, D.C. and hope you enjoyed celebrating this milestone with us.

This is just a small preview of Gold Fest. More photos and highlights are still to come!

06/11/2026

It was my honor to congratulate Lilly Shannon of Pontotoc in person for earning the Congressional Gold Medal – the highest honor that Congress can bestow on America’s youth. Lilly joined 877 Gold Medalists nationwide this year after dedicating hundreds of hours to community service, personal development, and physical fitness. Mississippi is proud of you, Lilly! Keep up the great work!

06/11/2026

06/11/2026

06/11/2026