Nine Staten Island students win Congressional Award, highest U.S. honor for youths

Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis awarded medals to Staten Island students who received the Congressional Award and the Maverick Foundation Scholarship.

The presentation took place on Monday in Malliotakis’ Staten Island District Office.

The Congressional Award was established in 1979 and recognizes students for their achievements in volunteerism, character development, physical fitness and exploration. It’s the highest honor bestowed upon civilian youth by Congress.

It began as a bipartisan effort in both the United States Senate and the House of Representatives.

The original bill was sponsored by Senator Malcolm Wallop of Wyoming and Congressman James Howard of New Jersey and the legislation was originally signed into law by President Jimmy Carter. Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald J. Trump have each signed continuing legislation.

The Congressional Award provides opportunities for young people to reach their potential by achieving personal goals focused on volunteerism, character development, and fitness.

The program is open to all youth in the United States between the ages of 14 and 24 regardless of ability, circumstance, or socioeconomic status.

Participants earn Bronze, Silver, and Gold Certificates and Bronze, Silver, and Gold Medals. Each level involves setting goals in four program areas; Voluntary Public Service, Personal Development, Physical Fitness, and Expedition/Exploration.

Participants are eligible to register with the award at 13 1/2. Participants are eligible to submit completed rapplications at 14.

The Congressional Award has no minimum grade point average requirements.

It accommodates young people with special needs or disabilities. It’s not an award for past accomplishments, but rather honored for setting goals, creating an action plan, and meeting the challenge.

THE MAVERICK FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP

Some of the students recognized received the Maverick Foundation Scholarship, established in 2002 for eighth graders entering high school who accept the challenge of the Congressional Award program.

Scholarship recipients are required to achieve the Congressional Award Gold Medal prior to graduating from high school, which requires them to perform 400 hours of community service, 200 hours of personal development, and 200 hours of physical activity.

MAVERICK FOUNDATION RECIPIENTS:

Cassandra Fitzpatrick – Congressional Award Gold Medal. Freshman at Marist College; Graduated from Moore Catholic High School in 2023

Victoria D’Ovidio – Congressional Award Gold Medal. Senior at St. Joseph Hill Academy

Ryan Leonard – Congressional Award Gold Medal. Junior at Monsignor Farrell High School

Jenna Ruiz – Congressional Award Bronze Medal & Silver Medal. Junior at Staten Island Academy

Logan Kielty – Congressional Award Bronze Medal. Junior at St. Peter’s Boys High School

Annie Falcon – Congressional Award Bronze Medal. Sophomore at Moore Catholic High School

Elle Barrera – Congressional Award Bronze Medal. Senior at Gaynor McCowan Expeditionary Learning School

CONGRESSIONAL AWARD RECIPIENTS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE MAVERICK FOUNDATION

Youwei Zhen – Congressional Award Gold Medal. Staten Island Technical High School.

Lillianna Cognato - Congressional Award Gold Medal.