Greenbrae teen earns Congressional Award gold medal

Service and volunteerism are the central pillars of Ryder Lariviere’s highschool life. The nationwide youth award simply got here with the territory.

Lariviere, a 16-year-old junior at Branson College in Ross, is ready to obtain the Congressional Award gold medal, Congress’ highest honor for civilians age 14 to 24.

“I wish to symbolize the concept anybody at a younger age can exit together with your neighborhood and assist different individuals when you’ve got the chance,” stated Lariviere. “I would like to have the ability to deliver this concept that youth can drive the change, particularly in Marin and the Bay Space.”

The medal honors recipients for his or her dedication to voluntary public service, private improvement and bodily health. Lariviere will head to Washington, D.C., in June to obtain the dignity on the program’s annual summit.

Lariviere started his curiosity in this system concerning the time he entered highschool. He’s been laborious at work assembly the requirements of accomplishment and milestones over the past two and half years.

“My dad heard about this chance and shared it with me. I used to be very keen and , so I utilized for it. I began logging hours and writing up proposals,” he stated.

The Greenbrae teen stated the work was executed for the sake of philanthropy moderately than for the award itself.

“It’s been nice to see how I’ve been capable of change, evolve and study. There’s a way of feeling good inside. I’ve been capable of assist individuals,” he stated.

Lariviere counts a number of pursuits as the idea for his award: working towards a black belt in combined martial arts, constructing wildfire risk evaluation software program for his Eagle Scout challenge, working as a Mandarin translator, tutoring and jazz piano.

Todd Statz, scoutmaster for Troop 15 in Fairfax, San Anselmo and West Marin, stated he has seen Lariviere develop as a frontrunner amongst his friends. As a mentor to Lariviere, Statz stated he has seen Lariviere develop into the position for youthful members of the troop. Lariviere has been inducted into the Order of the Arrow, the nationwide honor society of the Boy Scouts of America.

“I’m pleased with his present achievements, which I’m assured will solely pale compared to what he has deliberate for the longer term,” Statz stated. “The consideration of incomes the Congressional Award solely displays the fervour he has for service, studying and management.”

Statz has identified Lariviere for 3 years. Lariviere is working towards turning into an Eagle Scout and is senior patrol chief for Troop 15.

Lariviere has additionally carried out volunteer work with the San Francisco-Marin Meals Financial institution.

“I don’t assume it’s about with the ability to gloat about that. It’s about that feeling of being pleased with what you’ve executed, that you simply’ve made an influence past your self that’s going to assist that individual have a meal for the subsequent week,” he stated.

Lariviere has volunteered there for 4 years, stated Randy Rollmann, the meals financial institution’s warehouse supervisor and volunteer coordinator.

“After working with Ryder throughout his first few visits, it was evident that he was far more targeted and pushed than most teenagers his age,” Rollmann stated. “He’s a mature particular person who units an excellent instance and normal for all, the place I by no means have any reservations putting him in autonomous positions that require the main target and a focus to element that many initiatives right here at our Marin facility require.”

Chloe White, Branson’s neighborhood engagement coordinator, referred to as Lariviere some of the diligent college students on the college. However even outdoors his courses he has proven a dedication to service, she stated.

“He repeatedly illustrates his dedication to service by way of holding his friends accountable and taking the initiative to search out new methods to have interaction with communities,” she stated. “He actually does nice work and has proven to be an actual collaborator as an alternative of a one-man present.”

Lariviere will graduate from highschool in 2024. He stated he has maintained a 4.0 GPA, labored as print editor for the scholar newspaper, the Blazer, performed varsity tennis and took part within the college’s technical theater program and Bullworks Membership.

He’s not determined the place he’d prefer to attend school.

“For now, I’m simply attempting to make a distinction right here,” he stated.