Sickles HS Senior Olivia DeMarco Wins Congressional Gold Medal

Ruskin resident Olivia DeMarco, a senior at Sickles High School, has earned the Congressional Award Gold Medal. The national honor recognizes young people for sustained commitment and achievement in personal development, public service, physical fitness, and expedition or exploration. The Congressional Award is Congress's only bipartisan youth awards program.

To earn the Gold Medal, DeMarco dedicated significant time across four key areas. She completed over 400 hours of volunteer public service, including volunteering at Moffitt Cancer Center, tutoring students and participating in local environmental cleanups along the Little Manatee River.

In personal development, DeMarco completed advanced coursework in science and mathematics, mastered Spanish and honed leadership skills through student government. Her physical fitness achievements include training for and completing a half-marathon and consistent participation in team sports.

For the expedition/exploration component, she completed a week-long backpacking trip in the Appalachian Mountains.

"We are incredibly proud of Olivia's remarkable achievement," said Principal Angela Vasquez of Sickles High School. "The Congressional Award Gold Medal is a testament to her hard work, dedication, and commitment to making a positive impact on her community."

DeMarco plans to pursue a degree in biomedical engineering at the University of Florida in the fall.