Lower Bucks Today

Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick hosted the 2024 Congressional Award Ceremony for Pennsylvania's First District to honor young leaders. The ceremony, held in Washington, DC, recognized youth who have demonstrated leadership and commitment to service. The Congressional Award, established by Congress in 1979, is the highest civilian honor given by the United States Congress to young individuals.

This year's honorees include Ryan Kraychik, Sarah Liu, and Claire Titus. These young leaders were acknowledged for their volunteerism and community service efforts.

Ryan Kraychik received the Gold Award for over 400 hours of volunteer service. A graduate of Council Rock South and a freshman at Elizabethtown College, he founded a virtual tutoring program for children affected by the war in Ukraine. He also volunteered at a hospital providing translation services and led the Future Healthcare Professionals Club at his school.

Sarah Liu earned the Silver Award with over 200 hours dedicated to healthcare and education volunteer work. A senior at Germantown Friends School, she volunteered at University of Pennsylvania Hospital and Jefferson Hospital. Her roles included assisting during surgeries and organizing SAT math boot camps.

Claire Titus was awarded the Bronze Medal for her dedication of over 100 hours to community service. As a sophomore at Central Bucks West, she developed a curriculum teaching manners to children post-Covid-19 lockdowns. She has also been volunteering at Doylestown Library since age 12.

Sarah Liu expressed gratitude for her recognition: “Receiving this recognition from Congressman Fitzpatrick means a lot to me. It feels great to know that my efforts are appreciated, and this encourages me to continue making a positive impact in my community.”

Claire Titus shared her thoughts on meeting Congressman Fitzpatrick: “Having the opportunity to meet with Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick was a memory I will keep with me. The recognition I received from him incentivizes me to continue my efforts and continue to achieve new and higher goals.”

Congressman Fitzpatrick commented on the honorees' achievements: “In honoring Ryan, Sarah, and Claire, we celebrate not only their incredible achievements but their promise as future leaders." He added that their contributions are extraordinary.

The Congressional Award aims to recognize initiative among America's youth through non-partisan programs encouraging leadership in four areas: volunteerism, personal development, physical fitness, and expedition/exploration.