Basking Ridge Student Wins Congressional Award

BASKING RIDGE, NJ—Sindhu Nagarakanti Ridge High School was one of just 478 people receiving the Congressional Award Gold Medal, Congress’ highest honor for civilian youth, during a virtual ceremony on Sept. 26.

The medal honors youth for their commitment to voluntary public service, personal development, and physical fitness. Participants can earn Bronze, Silver, and Gold Medals. Each level involves achieving goals in four program areas: Voluntary Public Service, Personal Development, Physical Fitness, and Expedition-Exploration. Gold medalists like Sindhu had to complete 800 hours in those categories within two years.

"Earning The Congressional Award is a fun and interesting way to get more involved in something you already enjoy," Sindhu, 16, said. "This is not an award for past accomplishments. Instead, you are honored for achieving your own challenging goals."

To earn the medal, Sindhu's projects included volunteer teaching at a dance studio, which fulfilled her volunteering as well as fitness hours. She also undertook a major project which used up nearly 400 of her required time.

"I went to India over the summer and I taught underprivileged kids," she said. "I'd stay up until 1 a.m. planning lessons and wake up the next day at six. It was a lot, but it was really fun."

Sindhu's parents, Rangadham and Sandhya Nagarakanti, said they're proud of their daughter not just for the impressive achievement, but for the effort they saw her expend.

“We are so proud of Sindhu for the tireless hours of work she put into achieve this award and the character she developed because of this hard work," said her mom, Sandhya. "We hope to see her continue to give back to the community and succeed in the future.”

Although the award ceremony was virtual this year because of the pandemic, it was still packed with influential speakers. Award Chairman Paxton Baker, journalist Wolf Blitzer, Senator Mike Enzi, and retired football star Emmitt Smith spoke to the winners.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell both congratulated the medalists. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and several members of the House, including Representatives Katie Porter, Sheila Jackson Lee, Richard Hudson and Liz Cheney, also delivered remarks.

Sindhu, a senior, wants to study medicine when she graduates, but hasn't made up her mind where she wants to go to school. She said she sees this as a great learning experience that taught her about the world—and about herself.

“My favorite experience in earning the Gold Medal was being able to see the impact that I could make on the world, as well as myself," Sindhu said. "By working hard to become a more well-rounded and open-minded individual, I learned how to see myself and the world through a more positive and life-changing lens.”