FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Bethie Woodall March 31, 2021 [email protected] Members of Congress Recognize 88 New Jersey Students for Achievements in Service and STEM WHIPPANY, N.J., March 31, 2021 – Students across the Garden State gathered last week for The Congressional Award 2021 New Jersey Virtual Statewide Ceremony. Presented by Bayer, the event recognized 87 youth medalists for their dedication to bettering their communities through voluntary public service in addition to achieving long-term personal goals. The ceremony was led by Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill, who represents New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District – home to Bayer US. Additional Congressional speakers included Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03), Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), and Congressman Tom Malinowski (NJ-07). Patrick Lockwood-Taylor, President of Bayer U.S., offered opening remarks for the event. “The Congressional Award program helps recognize the positive contributions of America’s youth. Today we celebrate those students who have met their goals and found ways to give back to their communities in extremely meaningful ways,” he said. Congresswoman Sherrill was the first among the lawmakers in attendance to offer words of encouragement to the honorees. “The Congressional Award program provides the roadmap, but it’s each of you that is able to take control of the journey and make it your own with the goal of bettering our community, our state, and our nation,” she said. Joining Lockwood-Taylor was SVP and Head of Corporate Affairs for Bayer in the U.S. Raymond F. Kerins, Jr. Kerins, who is also a Congressional Award Board Member, spoke on the STEM Stars program, an initiative established by Bayer in 2018 which recognizes Gold Medalists who participate in STEM-related activities as part of their Congressional Award pursuits. “We’ve seen the STEM Stars program flourish and encourage young achievers all across the United States to explore their passion in science, technology, engineering, and math,” he said. In addition to recognizing youth medalists for their achievements over the past year, the event was also open to Congressional Award participants who are currently working on earning their certificate or medal. Breakout groups during the event offered current participants a chance to network with their peers and members of Congress, as well as learn from medalists about their Congressional Award journeys. “My favorite part was connecting with the world through my community service, and being able to take my initiatives online,” noted Silver Medalist Ishani Sengupta of Edison, NJ. New Jersey remained one of The Congressional Award’s highest-participating states even throughout the pandemic, as students adjusted their activities to complete them safely and remotely. The Congressional Award | Congress’ Award for Youth 379 Ford House Office Building • Washington, DC 20515 • P: (202) 226-0130 • F: (202) 226-0131 Mailing Address: Post Office Box 77440 • Washington, DC 20013 Bronze Medalists: Andreas Polychronis, Lebanon Vansh Patel, Toms River Sara Asdhir, Edison Vanessa Reina, Bergenfield Aaron Phogat, Hillsborough Dylan Bell, Ocean City Samuel Ringel, Marlboro Malini Popat, Short Hills Batu Cam, New Milford Dinesh Ruben, Kendall Park Yogesh Ramani, Edison Luke Carney, Rutherford Annika Santhanam, Edison Matthew Reiter, Bordentown Ryan Carter, Bridgewater Isabella Saponaro, West Long Branch Bennett Rhee, Northvale Gordon Chu, Warren Brooke Schwartzman, Pemberton Sumedha Sabbani, Robbinsville Christian Corbett, East Brunswick Joshua Sheykhet, Princeton Junction John Santone, Medford Ashley Cosgrove, Montclair Megan Szot, Chatham Ishani Sengupta, Edison Julianna Costantini, Absecon Perry Tripido, Ridgewood Jayme Sooy, Millville Andrew Crain, Millville Mark Troiani, Haddonfield Siddarth Sridhar, Bridgewater henry doell, Blairstown Tanish Tyagi, Shorthills Nathaniel Sun, Mahwah Sriram Elango, Cinnaminson Nyjeer Wesley, Neptune Shivam Syal, Edison Emily Esposito, Aberdeen Taylor Whitaker, Millville Shivani Trivedi, Edison Alexandra Faeth, Ringwood Noah Uzzolina, Millville Joshua Finkelstein, Marlboro Silver Medalists: Michelle Vassilev, Princeton Lucia Garabo, Hillsdale Pari Agarwal, Edison Joshua Whitaker, Millville Andrew Ge, Holmdel Gabrielle Akiatan, Millville Alyssia Gomez, Millville Jongyun An, Ridgewood Gold Medalists: Sedat Guvercin, Garfield Roshini Bodicherla, Robbinsville Sanmathi Priya Abiram Lakshmi Devi, Logan Hannah, Millville Michael Caggiano, Freehold Edison Nathaniel Holl, Warren Karen Chainey, Millville Nikhit Basineni, Morganville Macie Jacquet, Millville San'aa Doss, Millville Christina Beggs, Voorhees Riya Karande, North Brunswick Royce Jacobs, Medford Mark Faverzani, Ocean City Eric Keller, Basking Ridge Anthony Kukal, Millville Ved Jain, Toms River Abigail Klein, Livingston Evan Kuster, Clinton Jonathan Kaufmann, Belle Mead Naomi Klein, Livingston Jueun Kwon, Closter Diya Kodimala, Somerset Aliza Langlois, Milmay Lily Mahabir, Millville Srikar Sadhu, Somerset Emma Lucier-Keller, Point Pleasant Megan Majewski, Millville Alexander Sanfilippo-Scherer, Beach Sophie Malik, Summit Spotswood Will Morrison, Princeton Varija Mehta, Edison Jakub Wozniak, Whitehouse Station Megan Nyhuis, Ringwood Kate Minn, Ridgewood Pavel Zhelnin, New Brunswick Kristin Osika, Mendham Christopher Outlaw, Somerset Akshat Parthiban, Somerset About The Congressional Award The Congressional Award is the United States Congress’ only charity and the highest honor bestowed upon a youth civilian through the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. Established by Congress as a public-private partnership in 1979 under Public Law 96-114, the program recognizes initiative, service, and achievement in youth ages 13 ½ - 23. Learn more at www.congressionalaward.org. About Bayer Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the life science fields of health care and nutrition. Its products and services are designed to help people and planet thrive by supporting efforts to master the major challenges presented by a growing and aging global population. Bayer is committed to drive sustainable development and generate a positive impact with its businesses. At the same time, the Group aims to increase its earning power and create value through innovation and growth. The Bayer brand stands for trust, reliability and quality throughout the world. In fiscal 2020, the Group employed around 100,000 people and had sales of 41.4 billion euros. R&D expenses before special items amounted to 4.9 billion euros. 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