LM’s Sarah Chenoweth Earns Prestigious Gold Congressional Award

Lower Merion High School sophomore Sarah Chenoweth has been named a recipient of the Gold Congressional Award, the highest honor Congress bestows upon youth in the United States. The award recognizes initiative, service and personal growth over an extended period of time, and it represents a significant achievement for any student.

To earn the Gold Medal, participants must, over the course of two years, complete 400+ hours of voluntary public service, 250+ hours of personal development, 320+ hours of physical fitness and a ten-day expedition. Sarah’s journey to this national distinction reflects her remarkable dedication, leadership and community spirit.

For her expedition, Sarah attended the 2022 BSA National Jamboree at the Summit Bechtel Reserve High-Adventure Base in West Virginia. She spent a year preparing with her crew, taking on an active leadership role in managing camping logistics. The Jamboree gave her the opportunity to fully engage in a wide range of outdoor and educational activities while connecting with youth from across the country.

Sarah’s extensive community service spanned four impactful areas:

1. She helped youth develop leadership skills as a staff member at a National Youth Leadership Training course hosted by the Cradle of Liberty Council of Scouting America.
2. She supported environmental efforts by participating in local conservation projects—including amphibian protection work at the Schuylkill Center and invasive species removal at Valley Forge National Park—and shared her knowledge as a counselor-in-training at the Schuylkill Center Summer Camp.
3. She provided essentials to children-in-need through her role in the Teen Leadership Corps at Cradles to Crayons.
4. She addressed food insecurity by volunteering with Kids Against Hunger and participating in the Scouting for Food program.

In the area of personal development, Sarah devoted herself to advancing her musical talent through the study of the viola, while also pursuing STEM-related skills such as computer-aided design (CAD).

For her physical fitness goals, she challenged herself both physically and mentally by becoming an avid ultimate frisbee player and rock climber.

Sarah’s achievement stands as a testament to her initiative, compassion and perseverance. In recognition of her accomplishment, she was invited to attend the Congressional Award Gold Medal Summit in Washington, D.C., this June, where she was honored alongside other medalists and had the opportunity to engage with members of Congress. Both LMHS and LMSD are proud to celebrate her outstanding accomplishment and look forward to seeing all the incredible things she will achieve in the years ahead!