Congressional Award Gold Medal earned by local teen
Torrance resident Harry Kaplan recently received the Congressional Award Gold Medal, the highest honor a member of the U.S. Senate or House of Representatives can bestow on a young civilian.
Kaplan, who will be a senior at South Torrance High School next year, has dedicated more than 1,200 hours over the past five years to the goals of the award, which include areas of personal development, physical fitness, expeditions and voluntary public service.
Despite those accomplishments, Kaplan is not the first sibling at home to win the Congressional Award Gold Medal. He’s not even the second either. Two older siblings — Julie Kaplan last
year and Max Kaplan in 2013 — also won the award.
Harry Kaplan, the most recent winner, said his brother and sister inspired him.
“They’ve really helped push me in the right direction,” he said. “It’s really their continued support, and in all of my adventures, that made it possible.”
Father Neil Kaplan said his children took up the challenge all on their own, without any cajoling from Mom and Dad.
“We’re fortunate to have kids who are motivated and like to do things on their own,” Neil Kaplan said. “The only thing we encourage them to do is try to make the world a slightly better place than it was yesterday.”
The award was first established in 1979 by Congress to recognize initiative, service and achievement in young people 13 to 24 years old. There are different medals depending on how much time and dedication were exhibited. For the gold medal, the process takes about four to five years.
Harry Kaplan tutored students, took a virtual expedition to Kosovo — where he’s traveled before — attended conferences on various topics and performed more than 400 hours of volunteer work.
One of the most significant experiences, his father said, was volunteering at the Torrance Community Helpline, which in some cases involved listening to people in crisis.
“I’ve just seen the result of the process, and it’s made them all empathetic and better listeners,” the father said, “and both of those things are great to have in life.”
Cindy Shields, a family friend who served as Harry Kaplan’s adviser for the congressional award, described him as quiet and shy, kind and respectful — and a go-getter who is eager to share his talents.
Kaplan also serves on the Torrance Youth Council. Kaplan traveled to Sacramento and met with various representatives as an advocate for Torrance youth through the California State PTA.
“I know I share in Harry’s family’s pride in him as a good person who strives to do his very best in anything he undertakes,” Shields said. “That he was won the congressional award comes as no surprise.”
Harry Kaplan said achieving the gold medal should serve him well, not only for the experiences he gained but also for an upcoming career in the foreign service. But his future, of course, is still evolving, with many more adventures to come.
“I chose to spend four years and devoted a large portion of my life to it,” Harry Kaplan said. “I am very grateful for it. For anyone starting out, I would say just take one step at a time.”
To learn more about the Congressional Award, visit CongressionalAward.org.