U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-9) on Saturday, May 19, will present Congressional Awards to young people from across the state for reaching the award goals of service, professional development, spirit of adventure and discovery, and improving quality of life through fitness. The ceremony begins at 1 p.m. at the Missouri State Capitol, 3rd Floor Rotunda.

 The Congressional Awards are non-partisan, voluntary and non-competitive awards open to 14 to 23 year-olds. Participants earn bronze, silver and gold awards based on the goals of the program. This year, eight young people will receive gold awards, seven will receive silver awards and eight will receive bronze awards. The Congressional Award was established by Congress in 1979 as a private-public partnership which receives all funding from the private sector.

Those who will be present Saturday to receive awards from Congressman Luetkemeyer are:

Gold Award: Nikki Andersen, Walnut Grove. Silver Award: Holly Laws, Bridgeton;  Devlin Downs, St. Louis; Molly Burton, Webster Groves; Natalie O’Laughlin, Webster Groves; Mary Turner, Eureka; Brenna Anderson, Walnut Grove; Gabrielle Deimeke, Auxvasse. Bronze Award:  Kristen Winderl, Manchester; George Napper, Ballwin; Cassidy Alford, Ballwin; Nike Hoijarvi, Crestwood; Mary Ann Cahoon, Webster Groves.

 Other award recipients not able to attend Saturday’s ceremony are:

Gold Award: Tessa Vellek, Columbia; Emily Esther, Frontenac; Maheetha Bharadwaj, Wildwood; Corey Austin Daughenbaugh, Lee’s Summit; Kristin Hall, St. Joseph; Joshua Howell, West Plains; Tiara Howell, West Plains. Bronze Award: Matthew Scheidker, St. Louis; Dean Sterrett, Chesterfield; Drew Sterrett, Chesterfield.