Weston High Student Receives Congressional Award Gold Medal

WESTON, CT — Weston High School rising senior Anushka Khubchandani has received the Congressional Award Gold Medal, the highest honor presented through the Congressional Award program for youth.

The Congressional Award was established by Congress in 1979 to recognize initiative, service and achievement among young people.

The nonpartisan, voluntary program is open to people ages 14 to 24 and requires participants to set goals in four areas: voluntary public service, personal development, physical fitness and expedition or exploration.

Khubchandani completed more than 800 hours across the program's four areas to earn the recognition, including 400 hours of voluntary public service, 200 hours of personal development, 200 hours of physical fitness and a five-day, four-night expedition.

Among her community service efforts, Khubchandani volunteered at the Weston and Westport senior centers after helping care for her grandmother during her battle with end-stage renal disease.

"Through this, I became exposed to broader challenges senior citizens face, including healthcare navigation, independent living, and increasing exposure to online scams and digital fraud," Khubchandani said.

She also founded Weston High School's Women in STEM Club, developed an eight-week STEM program for younger students and serves on the Weston Commission for Children and Youth.