The U.S. Congress recently announced its 2021 class of Congressional Gold Medal Award recipients, honoring a plethora of young Indian American students, among others.

The Congressional Award is the United States Congress’ award for young Americans. The program is non-partisan, voluntary, and non-competitive. Young people may register when they turn 13 and a half years old and must complete their activities by their 24th birthday.

Participants earn Bronze, Silver and Gold Congressional Award Certificates and Bronze, Silver and Gold Congressional Award Medals.

Each level involves setting goals in four program areas: Voluntary Public Service, Personal Development, Physical Fitness, and Expedition/Exploration, according to the foundation.

This is not an award for past accomplishments. Instead, recipients are honored for achieving their own challenging goals after registering for the program, the foundation noted.

Regardless of a recipient’s situation, they can earn the Congressional Award, which has no minimum grade point average requirements. It accommodates young people with special needs or disabilities who are willing to take the challenge, it said.

Massachusetts’ 3rd Congressional District winners included Pooja Patel of Mansfield in the 4th Congressional District.