Temecula Valley High Schooler Earns Congressional Award Gold Medal

TEMECULA, CA — A Temecula Valley High School Junior received a rare honor as a Congressional Award Gold Medal Winner, Congress's highest honor for civilian youth.

Matthew DeWitt earned the accolade of being one of a select few honored by the U.S. Congress each year. He received a certificate of achievement from the City of Temecula in October to acknowledge his hard work and persistence. During the city presentation, Matthew thanked his parents and his advisor, Mr. Chris Sizemore, for guiding him during the two-year journey.

To earn the award, he completed at least 400 hours of voluntary public service, 200 hours of personal development, and 200 hours of physical fitness. He spent at least five days and four nights exploring a new environment or culture, according to the parameters of the award. In actuality, it was much more, according to his family.

To achieve the award requirements, Matthew cycled, hiked, and canoed for physical fitness and attended the Boy Scouts of America's 2023 National Jamboree in West Virginia. His community service has included his Eagle Scout project at Temecula Middle School and helping with local scouting programs and activities with Troop 148. He has also volunteered at Temecula Valley High School in the ASB program and spent two summers assisting with the Grace Mellman Community Library's summer reading program.

Matthew has also earned 25 Scouting merit badges, completed multiple leadership trainings, and is a fully initiated member of the Catholic Church.

During the city council session, he compared earning the award to his journey of becoming an Eagle Scout.

"Like when I earned Eagle Scout, the congressional award was a journey, but it didn't end at the final tier. It's s not over just yet," he said. "I look forward to continuing to grow as a leader and serving my community, my school, and my church for as long as I remain in Temecula. "

His mother, Kimberly DeWitt, spoke on his achievements and what's in store for his future.

"We are incredibly proud of Matthew's achievements and the person he has become," she told Patch. "While his father and I have always emphasized the importance of good grades, which he consistently excels in, what matters most to us is the kind of young man he is. We want him to be kind, compassionate, and ready to help others. Matthew has truly embraced this message. He continues to devote himself to service, whether at school, church, scouting, or community. His desire to give back is evident, as he has volunteered over 700 service hours across multiple organizations, clubs, and our church."

When asked what the award means to him, Matthew had this to say:

"To me, the Congressional Award represents an opportunity for personal growth in almost every area of my life. Through a combination of activities that I already participated in, such as Scouting and TVHS ASB, and new ones, such as religious education and long-term exercise, I was able to both reinforce my own core values and dedicate myself to a principle of self-enrichment that still guides me today."

Matthew plans to finish high school while remaining active in TVHS ASB and scouting. After graduation, he plans to attend a four-year college, majoring in political science or chemistry and hopes to attend law school.