June 17, 2015, Washington, D.C. – 17 year old Serhat Karipaduc, recent high school graduate from Sandy, Utah, won the congressional gold medal for outstanding excellence in physical fitness, voluntary community service, personal development, and expedition. He volunteered for over 500 hours and has done over 400 hours of physical fitness and personal development. He volunteered in numerous dialogue institutes, at school, at in-state and out-of-state competitions, at festivals, and dinners. For physical fitness, he started bodybuilding and playing competitive soccer for a Premier Division club. He won a tournament and two division runner-ups. He also became the four time top scoring leader of the league and the club during his tenure in his soccer club. He studied ACT, SAT, and SAT subject tests for his personal development.
There were 267 gold medalists for the congressional award, 3 of which were from Utah along with Serhat. Among the people who attended were Executive Vice President of Centric, Paxton Baker, Vice President of Walgreens, Steve Pemberton, Hon. John Dingell, and pro NBA Player, Bradley Beal.
Serhat Karipaduc was born in Turkey and has lived in Romania and Kosovo before moving to the United States at the age of 13.
