Baton Rouge Student Earns Prestigious Gold Congressional Award

Stephen Sclafani recognized for 1,000+ hours of service, personal development, and exploration

Jan. 30, 2026 at 11:31am

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Stephen Sclafani, a graduate of St. Michael the Archangel High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has been awarded the prestigious Gold Congressional Award, a high civilian honor recognizing initiative, service, and achievement in young people. Sclafani, now a sophomore at the University of Notre Dame, completed over 1,000 hours of voluntary public service, personal development, and physical fitness to earn the award.

Why it matters

The Congressional Award program was established in 1979 to encourage young Americans to set and achieve challenging goals that build character and life skills. Sclafani's achievement demonstrates the positive impact youth can have through dedicated community involvement and personal growth.

The details

To earn the Gold Congressional Award, Sclafani completed 400 hours of voluntary public service, 200 hours of personal development, 200 hours of physical fitness, and four consecutive overnights of exploration. His efforts have earned him national recognition and the opportunity to inspire other high school students to get more involved in their communities.

  • Sclafani received the Gold Congressional Award in a ceremony in Washington, D.C. in January 2026.
  • Sclafani is currently a sophomore at the University of Notre Dame.

The players

Stephen Sclafani

A graduate of St. Michael the Archangel High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and a current sophomore at the University of Notre Dame, where he is studying political science and economics.

St. Michael the Archangel High School

A high school in Baton Rouge, Louisiana that Sclafani attended before going on to the University of Notre Dame.

University of Notre Dame

The university where Sclafani is currently enrolled as a sophomore, studying political science and economics.

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What they’re saying

“Receiving this award is an honor and a privilege. I hope to inspire high school students to be more involved in their communities and to use their gifts and talents to elevate themselves and those around them.”

— Stephen Sclafani

The takeaway

Sclafani's achievement demonstrates the positive impact young people can have when they dedicate themselves to community service, personal growth, and exploring new experiences. His story serves as an inspiration for other high school and college students to get involved and make a difference in their communities.