gress honored 478 youth from across America with The Congressional Award Gold Medal in the program’s first-ever entirely virtual Gold Medal Ceremony. Sam Siminou, Beverly Hills native and high school student at Windward School was among the recipients. The award is Congress’ highest honor for civilian youth, and Siminou received the award in the program’s first-ever virtual Gold Medal Ceremony. This medal honors youth for their commitment to voluntary public service, personal development and physical fitness.

“Working towards the Gold Congressional Medal caused me to hold myself accountable for constantly progressing and improving,” Siminou said. “The public service I completed, physical fitness and personal development, and the expedition all include lifelong memories I plan on sharing with my children one day.”

Each Gold Medalist has accumulated over 800 hours over the span of two years in the areas of voluntary public service, personal development, and physical fitness, as well as planning and going on an in-depth exploration/expedition. The Congressional Award Gold Medal is the most prestigious award Congress can bestow upon a youth civilian.

“For voluntary service, I did a few things. I tutored through one of Beverly Hills’ After-School Programs.

I judged for and helped my school’s Middle School Debate team at multiple scrimmages and tournaments and am currently Captain of our High School team. I volunteered at Cedars-Sinai for about fifty hours in total, interacting with patients and completing clerical tasks. And I also interned at LAUSD Board Member Nick Melvoin’s office this past summer, answering constituent calls, replying to emails, and doing a lot of research on LAUSD Food Policy,” Siminou told the Courier.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell both gave their congratulations to the medalists during the virtual ceremony, along with remarks from Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Congresswoman Katie Porter, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Congressman Richard Hudson, and Congresswoman Liz Cheney among others.