Portola High School Student Earns Congressional Award Gold Medal

Photo of Nimishii Sharma in Washington D.C.

Congratulations to Portola High School student Nimishii Sharma, who was recently awarded the U.S. Congressional Award Gold Medal — Congress’s highest honor for civilian youth. She also received the Congressional Award STEM Star designation for completing STEM-related work as part of her journey.

The Gold Medal recognizes sustained commitment over at least two years, requiring 400 hours of voluntary public service, 200 hours of personal development, 200 hours of physical fitness, and a multi-day expedition. Nimishii went well beyond those requirements, completing more than 1,300 hours across all four categories.

Her service has centered on environmental advocacy and youth mentorship. She has volunteered with Cool Irvine since its founding, supporting youth-led sustainability initiatives, eco fairs, and the City’s environmental programs. She also serves on the Teen Advisory Board for Lion’s Heart, a national teen service network, where she works as a marketing manager and intern. Closer to home, Nimishii has tutored younger students and taught martial arts outside of school.

Her STEM Star designation reflects her work in independent and collaborative scientific research, including designing experiments, analyzing data, and presenting findings at science fairs. For Nimishii, research is most meaningful when it translates into real-world impact.

That belief — connecting knowledge with action — has shaped both her research and her service, and she plans to carry it forward as she continues using STEM to help address challenges in her community and beyond.