Westridge resident Ashwin Suresh, an Issaquah High School alumni and former Highlands Youth (HY) Advisory Board member, has recently been accepted into the University of Southern California (USC). It’s no surprise that Ashwin has an impressive list of achievements and awards under his belt, but even with high grades and hundreds of volunteer hours, that’s not the entire story.
Ashwin believes it’s a unique achievement that secured his spot at USC: The Congressional Award. But even as vital as the achievement was for his acceptance, Ashwin remembers the award more importantly as a journey that changed him on a deeper level.
So, what is it? The Congressional Award is a federally acknowledged achievement for 14-24-year-olds who have demonstrated excellence in personal growth, voluntary public service, personal fitness, and expedition and exploration. Depending on how many hours an individual records, they receive a certificate or medal in either copper, silver or gold. Ashwin received a silver medal, which is no easy task. To qualify for a silver medal, one must log over 200 hours of community service, 100 hours of personal development, and 100 hours of personal fitness, amongst other requirements. The journey to getting the award took three years for Ashwin, and he received the award this year as a high school senior by U.S. Rep. Kim Schrier.
Ashwin first learned about the award in freshman year from a friend who was also starting the program.
“I thought about it, and I was like, ‘I do a lot of this stuff already,’” he said. “If I just start tracking it, it’ll help me out a ton.”
Westridge resident Ashwin Suresh with U.S. Rep. Kim Schrier.
But as compatible as the challenge seemed, he soon realized how daunting the task would be. And in his junior year, Ashwin found himself in a tough situation. With cross country, four AP classes and a job at Target, he found that all he could do for fun was watch a 49ers game on Sunday before getting back to work. Recognizing he had to regain control of his time, he reevaluated his schedule and prioritized what he valued most. Ashwin ended up leaving cross country and Target. However, being forced to learn how to let go of some responsibilities to properly engage with others was an invaluable lesson he’s glad to have learned.
Ashwin’s pursuit also helped him look deeper into who he was and the greater community. One of the biggest things he’s most grateful for is how much closer he got to his religion. For his volunteering hours, Ashwin would serve food on weekends at his local Hindu temple. As he spent more time there, what began as a simple volunteering experience became something more for him. Even when he wasn’t scheduled to volunteer, he would still visit the temple.
Ashwin remarked, “Being there for such a long time is honestly a blessing. It’s a place to express my faith and it’s a very welcoming temple.”
Ashwin would also meet some unforgettable peers. He recalls making good friends in cross country, meeting two amazing people during a third-world cancer research volunteering experience, and even talking with the indigenous Tongva Nation located in Los Angeles during an internship.
“Meeting a lot of people, experiencing a lot different of things… it helped me have a very fruitful life,” Ashwin said. “A lot of the stuff I ended up opening up to, I would’ve never done without the Congressional Award.”
When asked if he would recommend the program to others, he noted that getting involved is a great idea. He added that it’s a “multi-faceted program” that pushes you to tackle tasks you might initially find uncomfortable.
When asked what advice he had for those feeling intimidated by the process, he emphasized that the program spans a long period, allowing participants lots of time to fulfill the requirements. He noted that even if you start with a bronze certificate, you can continue submitting your recorded hours to achieve higher levels. The key is to keep pursuing what makes you happy, as the Congressional Award reflects the effort you put in.
For Ashwin, the Congressional Award was not only an invaluable badge of honor but also a priceless experience that changed him for the better. And for those who have the courage to give it a shot, maybe it will be for you, too.
Lexi Yuen is a Central Park resident and a member of the HY Board.
