About

The Wyoming Congressional Award Council is a non-partisan, non-competitive, and non-religious organization that supports Wyoming youth (and their advisors/mentors) as they pursue The Congressional Award.

The Congressional Award program is open to all Wyoming youth ages 13½ to 23, regardless of ability, circumstance, or socioeconomic status. There’s no minimum grade point average required to participate, and the program easily accommodates those with special needs or disabilities.

What’s special and unique about pursuing the Award here in Wyoming is that our participants and their advisors have a team—that’s us!—to support and celebrate them as they work toward earning a bronze, silver, or gold medal in the Award program. (You can meet our current class of medalists here.) 

Additionally, we:

• Host a state medalist ceremony to honor our medalists every spring
• Award each Wyoming Gold Medalist a $1,000 scholarship to any place of further education or trade
• Host group activities for Wyoming Gold Medalists and their guests while in Washington, D.C., for the Gold Medal Summit 

Did you know The Congressional Award program has Wyoming roots?

One of our state’s very own was key in bringing this incredible program to life! 

In 1979, late Senator Malcolm Wallop (R-Wyoming) and Congressman James Howard (D-New Jersey) wrote “The Congressional Award Act” bill as a way to recognize initiative, service, and achievement in young people.

Later that same year, enabling legislation (Public Law 96-114) established The Congressional Award as a private-public partnership, and The Congressional Award Program officially began.

Then and now, Program participants work toward earning Bronze, Silver, and Gold Certificates and Bronze, Silver, and Gold Medals. At each level, participants set goals in four program areas—Voluntary Public Service, Personal Development, Physical Fitness, and Expedition—and earn a certificate or medal after completing a required amount of hours within each.

The Wyoming Congressional Award Council was officially established on October 8, 1983, and celebrated during a University of Wyoming vs. BYU football game.

That day, Wyoming’s own Senator Wallop proudly stood alongside Wyoming Governor Ed Herschler and a host of honored guests to mark the momentous event. 

Since that exciting day, Wyoming youth have earned more than 2,000 Bronze, Silver and Gold medals—and the number continues to grow each year.

We’re proud to work for the Wyoming Congressional Award Council and continually inspired by the amazing contributions of our youth volunteers and their personal growth.

We invite you to champion our program and encourage more youth to be involved! 

Wyoming Congressional Award Council
Board of Directors

Ex-Officio Members, WCAC Honorary Co-Chairs

THE HONORABLE HARRIET HAGEMAN
U.S. Representative, Wyoming

Executive Officers

HEIDI RUBICH
Treasurer
Rock Springs, Wyoming

DIANNE KIRKBRIDE
Secretary
Cheyenne, Wyoming

Board Members

LAURA SCHMID-PIZZATO
1989 Congressional Award Gold Medalist
Rock Springs, Wyoming

PATRICK THOMAS
Casper, Wyoming

BRUCE THOMSON
Cheyenne, Wyoming

CARLTON UNDERWOOD
Fort Washakie, Wyoming

MARTHA WILSON
Cheyenne, Wyoming