Local Students Get Congressional Awards From Rep. Adam Smith

Photo: Angela Lin of Mercer Island, who earned a silver Congressional Award; William Waller of Mercer Island High School earned a gold award.

MERCER ISLAND, WA - Ten students from Bellevue and Mercer Island were recently given Congressional Award medals by U.S. Rep. Adam Smith, D-Mercer Island. The Congressional Award is for students who excel in public service, academics, exploration, or physical fitness. Smith gave out some of the awards at a recent town hall in Tukwila and when one student visited him in Washington, D.C.

"It is a privilege to see young students, like our local Congressional Award Medal recipients, demonstrate personal initiative and a sincere commitment to bettering Puget Sound communities," Smith said in a statement. "I look forward to hearing about the accomplishments of these young leaders in the future. Their teachers, mentors, parents, and communities should all be incredibly proud of their accomplishments. It is my hope that by presenting these awards at my town hall, I can celebrate the spirit of community and service, and help to encourage more students across the District to participate in Congressional Awards Program.”

Here are the local winners:

Gabriel Helms - Bronze
International School, Bellevue

Owen Benda - Bronze
Newport High School, Bellevue

Jamin Zheng - Silver
Bellevue

Andrew Wittenmyer - Silver
Bellevue

Jiayi Wang - Silver
Mercer Island

Malav Dipankar - Silver
Bellevue

Angela Lin - Silver
Seattle Preparatory School, Mercer Island

Nicholas Grosinger - Gold
Tyee Middle School, Bellevue

Jessica Waller - Gold
Mercer Island High School, Mercer Island

William “Max” Waller - Gold
Mercer Island High School, Mercer Island

Image via U.S. Rep. Adam Smith