Big Piney, Pinedale students earn Wyoming Congressional Medals

By Cali O'Hare, Pinedale Roundup Managing Editor, cohare@pinedaleroundup.com
Posted 5/2/24

Big Piney’s Cambry Jenks, a sophomore, earned bronze, silver and gold medals and Pinedale’s Seren Noble earned bronze and silver medals. Jenks and Noble were two of 34 Wyoming youths who were approved to receive their medals this year.

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Big Piney, Pinedale students earn Wyoming Congressional Medals

Sen. John Barrasso, center, and 28 of the 34 Wyoming Congressional Award recipients pose with their medals following a special ceremony on Sunday, April 21. Among the honorees are Pinedale High School senior Seren Noble, a silver medalist, (second row back and second to the right) and Big Piney High School sophomore Cambry Jenks (not pictured), a gold medalist.
Sen. John Barrasso, center, and 28 of the 34 Wyoming Congressional Award recipients pose with their medals following a special ceremony on Sunday, April 21. Among the honorees are Pinedale High School senior Seren Noble, a silver medalist, (second row back and second to the right) and Big Piney High School sophomore Cambry Jenks (not pictured), a gold medalist.
Wyoming Congressional Award Council courtesy photo
Posted

CHEYENNE — Sublette County was one of six counties represented at the Wyoming Congressional Award Council’s annual ceremony on Sunday, April 21, where two local students were presented medals for their hard work. Big Piney’s Cambry Jenks, a sophomore, earned bronze, silver and gold medals and Pinedale’s Seren Noble earned bronze and silver medals. Jenks and Noble were two of 34 Wyoming youths who were approved to receive their medals this year.

The Wyoming Congressional Award program is open to youth of all abilities aged 13-and-a-half to 23 years old. Participants set goals in four program areas: voluntary public service, personal development, physical fitness and expedition/exploration. To achieve a gold medal like Jenks, participants must complete a minimum of 24 months of activity in voluntary public service, personal development and physical fitness, dedicating at least 400 hours to public service, 200 hours to personal development and 200 hours to physical fitness.

Jenks and each Wyoming Gold Medalist will receive a $1,0000 scholarship.

Big Piney High School sophomore Cambry Jenks earned the gold Wyoming Congressional Award Medal for dedicating hundreds of hours across four program areas.
Big Piney High School sophomore Cambry Jenks earned the gold Wyoming Congressional Award Medal for dedicating hundreds of hours across four program …

Jenks said, “Participating in the Congressional Award has taught me that no matter what, I can always be better and achieve more. I have so much more potential than I realize and can help others along my development journey. I am forever grateful for the opportunity I was blessed with to complete the Congressional Award, and I will forever be better and continue to do better because of it.”

Pinedale High School senior Seren Noble earned the silver Wyoming Congressional Award Medal for spending hundreds of hours improving herself and her community.
Pinedale High School senior Seren Noble earned the silver Wyoming Congressional Award Medal for spending hundreds of hours improving herself and her …

Of her participation in the program, Noble, a senior at Pinedale High School, said, “I have gained the valuable skills of time management, hard work, and planning. Working to obtain the Congressional Award has also improved my character by making me more patient and selfless.”

Sen. John Barrasso presented the Congressional Award Medals at a special ceremony held at the Surbrugg/Prentice Auditorium on the Laramie County Community College campus in Cheyenne. Other dignitaries involved included Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray and Dicky Shanor, Chief of Staff, Wyoming Department of Education, and an inspirational keynote speaker, Dave Denniston.

Before Sunday’s ceremony, medalists had the opportunity to meet with Sen. Barrasso and ask questions about The United States Senate Page Program and becoming an intern. They enjoyed a behind-the-scenes tour of the Wyoming State Capitol provided by Sen. Stephan Pappas and Rep. Dan Zwonitzer. On Saturday, medalists visited the Cheyenne Country Club for an ice cream social and a performance by magician and mentalist Dan Jaspersen. Also over the weekend, honorees and their families continued the spirit of public service by participating in a project at the Cheyenne Animal Shelter.

A Gold Medal Summit is planned in Washington, D.C. in June.

For more information about the requirements, view the program book at https://www.congressionalaward.org/prospective-participants/

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