University of Wyoming students Leah Rose and Finley Klinger received Congressional Award gold medals recognizing America’s youth. They are among the 26 recipients receiving the award in 2023 from Wyoming.
Rose and Klinger were honored at the Wyoming Congressional Award Council’s state medal ceremony in Cheyenne on April 30. They are both Kelly Walsh High School graduates in Casper, Wyoming where both started their Congressional Award Program journeys.
“It makes me feel like a leader and a difference-maker. Knowing that I made a difference in my community means the world,” Rose said.
Rose is a first-year Music Education major at UW. She did most of her work for this program at Kelly Walsh High School, where she earned hours for participating on the swim team, theater and band. She also volunteered at open houses and became a volunteer musician.
“I have received the bronze, silver and gold medals. For the gold medal, you must record 200+ hours of physical fitness, 200+ hours of personal betterment, an expedition/exploration, and 400+ hours of volunteer service,” Rose said.
Klinger is a first-year Kinesiology major and plans to attend dental school. She has received bronze, silver and gold Congressional Award medals. Klinger started in the Congressional Award Program in 2019 when she realized the program aligned with her personal life goals.
“There is a sense of accomplishment whenever you meet or exceed a personal goal. What stood out to me after completing this is how much more rewarding it was to help others in need rather than simply fulfill my own goals,” Klinger said.
“It is a great honor to accept the Congressional Award since it culminates many of my personal goals. I am humbled to have been given many opportunities to help strengthen my community through service to others.”
Rose and Klinger will attend the Gold Medal Summit in Washington DC at the end of June. It is a conference for gold medalists nationwide to come together and learn, network and inspire.
