CHEYENNE, WY – Thirty-nine young people from across Wyoming were recognized Sunday at the State Congressional Award Medal Ceremony in Cheyenne, where they received gold, silver, and bronze medals from the U.S. Congress—represented by Senator Cynthia Lummis—for their achievements in volunteerism, personal development, and physical fitness.
“A Congressional Award is the highest honor a young person can earn from the United States Congress,” said Sarah Compton, Executive Director of the Wyoming Congressional Award Council (WCAC). “Earning the Award is an opportunity for anyone between the ages of 13.5 and 23 to get involved in their community, invest time in the activities they already enjoy, and explore new things they’ve always wanted to try.”
To date, Wyoming Congressional Award participants have earned 1,025 bronze medals, 611 silver medals, and 437 gold medals, and completed 255,688 voluntary public service hours in communities around Wyoming.
Though the Congressional Award program is national, Wyoming is the only state with a dedicated Congressional Award Council to provide mentorship, encouragement, and recognition to participants across the state.
“It’s a really special program to be part of, and you can see a visible positive impact on everyone who participates,” said Sally Morse, WCAC Program Manager.
During Sunday’s ceremony, the following program participants received medals:
Burns Jr./Sr. High School
Kinzley Nusbaum; Gold
Carey Junior High School
Braxton Stults; Bronze
Casper College
Luke Salsgiver; Gold, Silver
Cheyenne Central High School
Cate Baker; Bronze
Jorja Carter; Silver
Marlo Ellis; Bronze
Axie Elsasser; Gold, Silver
Taylor Frauendienst; Gold
Kami Harris; Silver
Kayleigh Hood; Bronze
Shelby Kirkbride; Gold, Silver
Ellese Klaassen; Silver
Kimberly Klaassen; Bronze
Andrew Lewis; Bronze
Olivia Reynolds; Silver, Bronze
Tyler Trimble; Silver
Tavia Zimmerman; Bronze
Cheyenne East High School
Julian Edmunds; Gold, Bronze, Silver
Shelby Hoobler; Gold
Surya Kuchanur; Bronze
Taylor Nelson; Silver, Bronze
Taylor Schmidt; Bronze
Vesper Seitz; Gold, Silver
Loriana Walter; Gold
Homeschool
Maverick Lyles; Bronze
Pine Bluffs Jr./Sr. High School
Keefer Fornstrom; Bronze
Hattie Lerwick; Bronze, Silver
Rawlins High School
Lincoln Searle; Gold, Silver, Bronze
Rock Springs High School
Berkley Garner; Bronze
Cooper Rubich; Silver
Michael Rubich; Gold
Thunder Basin High School
Kaitlyn Mitchell; Bronze
Wharton School; University of Pennsylvania
James Neishabouri (Jackson, WY); Gold, Silver, Bronze
Western Wyoming Community College
Presley Frink; Bronze, Silver
Jackson Hole High School
Gus Mercer Ankeny; Bronze
Kelly Walsh High School
Harper Klinger; Gold, Silver, Bronze
Laramie High School
Abby Harshberger; Bronze
Sam Harshberger; Silver
Mountain View High School
Braxton Simmons; Bronze
For more information about the Wyoming Congressional Award Council, visit https://wycongressionalaward.org/. For individual medalist photos, please contact Sarah Compton at [email protected].
About the Wyoming Congressional Award Council and the Congressional Award Program
The Wyoming Congressional Award Council is a non-partisan, non-competitive, and non-religious organization that supports Wyoming youth (and their advisors/mentors) as they pursue The Congressional Award.
The Congressional Award program is open to all youth ages 13½ to 23, regardless of ability, circumstance, or socioeconomic status. There’s no minimum grade point average required to participate, and the program easily accommodates those with special needs or disabilities.