Sofia Leder, a rising senior at Paul D. Schreiber High School, has been awarded the Congressional Award Gold Medal, the U.S. Congress’s highest honor for youth. The award recognizes Leder’s exceptional commitment to voluntary public service, personal development, physical fitness, and expeditionary learning.
For her 400 hours of Voluntary Public Service, Leder worked to make the Port Washington community more eco-friendly and environmentally aware through education, advocacy, and solution-driven action. Her work included hands-on internships with local non-profits Transition Town Port Washington and Residents Forward. Additionally, Leder participated in environmental advocacy days in Albany and took on leadership roles across several major initiatives, including a local water quality study, a community-based recycling project, and the Youth Climate Summit.
"Since participating in the Congressional Gold Award, I have discovered several new volunteer opportunities across my community and New York State," said Leder. "They have led to great connections and experiences for me. The Award has created an incentive for me to volunteer more and channel my passion for environmentalism into education and action across my community."
In addition to her environmental service, Leder dedicated 200 hours to Personal Development, focusing on classical piano practice and active participation in various Schreiber High School organizations.
The Congressional Award is earned by young people who set and achieve personal goals in four specific areas: Voluntary Public Service, Personal Development, Physical Fitness, and Expedition/Exploration. The Gold Medal requires a minimum of 400 hours of community service, 200 hours of personal development, 200 hours of physical fitness, and a consecutive 4-night expedition or exploration trip.
Leder was officially recognized alongside fellow gold medalists from across the nation at the annual Congressional Award Gold Medal Ceremony earlier this month.
Schreiber High School principal Dr. Kathryn Behr and Superintendent of Schools of Schools Dr. Gaurav Passi congratulate Sofia Leder on her Congressional Gold Medal award.
