Princeton International School of Math and Science student receives 2024 Congressional Award

Rohan Jay, a Pennington resident who just graduated from the Princeton International School of Math and Science, was recognized in Washington D.C. last week with a Congressional Gold Medal for his achievements in public service, personal development, physical fitness, and exploration during the 2024 Congressional Award Gold Medal Summit.

To earn the medal, each participant must complete at least 400 hours of voluntary public service, 200 hours of personal development, and 200 hours of physical fitness. Students also must spend at least five days and four nights exploring a new environment or culture.

Rohan worked to achieve the award for more than two years, the minimum time frame to earn the medal. He was also recognized as a STEM Star for pursuing science, technology, math, and engineering activities. He wrote his own STEM books and built a robotics kit. He also worked to improve his technology skills in artificial intelligence and robotics. He made trips to several U.S. landmarks and did physical activities including biking, walking, jogging, juggling, and playing badminton.

“Participating in The Congressional Award was transformative, fostering personal growth, leadership, community awareness, technical knowledge sharing, and cultural understanding,” Rohan said. “I developed resilience, discipline, and leadership skills, appreciated societal roles, and enhanced my empathy through exposure to diverse cultures. This journey honed my organizational skills, improved physical well-being, and expanded networking opportunities, making it a valuable experience for my future endeavors.”

Rohan was one of 35 New Jersey students who received the medal at the summit last week. A total of 724 students from 47 states and territories were honored. The medal is the highest honor bestowed by Congress on youth.