Round Rock High School teen awarded congressional medal for community, voluntary work

CENTRAL TEXAS (KXAN) -- A Round Rock High School student is the recipient of the highest Congressional honor awarded to civilian youth.

Round Rock High School junior Anagha Deepak received the Congressional Award Gold Medal in recognition of her "commitment to voluntary public service, as well as personal development and physical fitness," per a news release.

KXAN previously covered Deepak's work as a participant in the 2023 U.S. Youth Ambassadors Program as well as her efforts as co-founder of HEARD Foundation, a Round Rock ISD student-led nonprofit helping displaced populations resettling in Texas.

Recipients of the Congressional Award Gold Medal complete a minimum of 400 levels of voluntary community service, 200 hours of personal developments and 200 hours of physical fitness, with additional requirements related to exploring new cultures.

The Congressional Award encouraged developing my passions, one of which brought me closer to my grandma during tough times as she taught me to sing over Zoom. I was also required to take control of planning and executing every minute detail of trips or campouts, teaching me responsibility and initiative. For my gold award, I also elected to take a virtual expedition where I was able to roam the alleys, landmarks, and museums of locations I may otherwise be unable to visit. I am so grateful for the journey that the Congressional Award has taken me through.”

Anagha Deepak, Congressional Award Gold Medal recipient

More details about the award are available online.