West Hempstead student earns Congressional Award

Eyal Traeger, a West Hempstead resident and senior at Hebrew Academy of Nassau County, was recognized as part of the 2026 Congressional Award Gold Medal Class, earning U.S. Congress’ highest honor given to youth for volunteer service and personal development.

As a result of his service, Traeger was invited to attend this year’s Gold Medal Summit in Washington, D.C., from June 8-10.

He also earned the Congressional Award STEM Star designation, which recognizes medalists who completed science, technology, engineering, and math-related activities as part of their Congressional Award projects.

This fall, Traeger plans to attend Binghamton University, where he will major in mechanical engineering, with a minor in photography.

Established in 1979, the Congressional Award recognizes initiative, service and achievement among America’s youth.

Participants earn bronze, silver, and gold certificates and medals by achieving goals in public service, personal development, physical fitness and expedition or exploration.

“I gained a strong understanding of myself, my community, and how I can benefit those around me,” Traeger said in a written statement. “My volunteering experience inspired me to spearhead my own initiative.”

“I learned that I could make a real impact on the community through volunteering,” he added. “I learned to use my strengths to help overcome my weaknesses. I will take the lessons I learned from the Congressional Award with me for the rest of my life.”

Traeger completed a wide range of projects on the way to receiving his award. He organized letter drives for veterans and active military members in collaboration with the organization A Million Thanks, a nonprofit established in 2004 that collects and delivers letters to U.S. military members across the world.

Through his advocacy efforts, he collaborated with the Vietnam Veterans of America organization to donate more than 1,500 books and “Troopons,” sending manufacturer coupons to active military members stationed overseas.

He said he values his experience because of the cause he helped advance, but he also took personal lessons from it.

“I learned a lot about how to lead and interact with others,” he said.

He also believes that his advocacy work can help inspire others to take part in humanitarian causes, whether it means helping veterans or otherwise.

“I think recognition of the programs I help would spread the word to people who wouldn’t otherwise think about doing it,” he said.

Traeger also has volunteered at West Hempstead Public Library, and served on the library’s teen council, where he helped plan library events.

His combined service hours totaled more than 400, which earned him the Gold Medal.

In addition to his Gold Medal for his advocacy for veterans and active military members, Traeger received STEM designation for his participation in robotics and other STEM programs.

He also participated in the CIJE, or Center of Initiatives in Jewish Education, robotics program. Groups from various Jewish day schools created robots and used them in competition with one another.

“We had to build a roller with an arm, and we had to move objects around the game board into a goal,” Traeger said, describing the event. “Towards the end, we also had to use that arm to elevate it over on certain bars, so we had to grab the bar and lift ourselves up.”

Although Traeger’s group didn’t win, he still took the positive experience away from the program.

“We didn't win, but it was so fun, and I enjoyed working with my teammates,” he said, adding that he was “the designated driver” or group member that operated the robot both years that he participated.

His mother, Zahava Traeger, expressed a great sense of pride in her son’s achievement.

“It was very rewarding to see him acknowledged,” she said. “He didn't really do it for the acknowledgement. It was more just to accomplish something, and it was great, because it kept him more focused on his goals.”

She also spoke about her son’s humility in his efforts. “He’s not a kid that brags, but in school he also brought volunteer opportunities to the school,” she said. “As co-volunteer coordinator, he went to a volunteer fair, and he found different opportunities to welcome to the school.”

Erica Heyse, national director of the Congressional Award, described what it means for recipients like Traeger to receive such an honor.

“For many of these students and families, traveling to Washington, D.C. and meeting with their elected officials is the culmination of years of hard work,” Heyse said in a news release. “The Summit gives us the opportunity not only to celebrate what they have achieved, but also to remind them that this medal is a foundation for a lifetime of leadership, civic engagement, and impact.”