Blake and Gavin Ziesler Photo: Alexandra Ziesler

Gavin and Blake Ziesler, brothers in the Park City School District, are rewarded for their dedication to community service, personal development and physical fitness

PARK CITY, Utah — Gavin and Blake Ziesler, brothers and students in the Park City School District, each earned the Congressional Award Bronze Medal on Tuesday, May 14.

According to the program’s website, “The Congressional Award provides opportunities for young people to unleash their potential by achieving personal goals focused on volunteerism, character development, and fitness.”

One of the criteria for the award was volunteer experience. Among other activities, Gavin enjoyed playing music at a local senior center through the Weilenmann School of Discovery.

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“I loved watching all the kids have fun and the seniors listen to music that made them smile,” Gavin said.

Blake, on the other hand, found his time overseas in the Dominican Republic building a house for a family to be rewarding.

“It was fulfilling to see the sheer joy and gratitude they felt from our contribution,” Blake said.

Both brothers also volunteered locally at the Kimball Art Center and Swaner EcoCenter.

“I began volunteering more extensively when I decided to work towards the Congressional Award and found opportunities at places I enjoyed visiting as a kid,” Blake said.

Gavin and Blake’s involvement in the arts and sports also factored into their Congressional Award recognition. Gavin’s participation in the Weilenmann Jazz Band helped him overcome his fear of playing in front of people and nurtured his love for music. He also participated in the Junior Olympics team in water polo. As a swim instructor at the MARC, Blake learned valuable lessons in leadership and working with children.

“Working as a swim instructor taught me quite a bit about working with kids, such as how to calm them or get them to cooperate,” Blake said. He also finished his wrestling season with a winning record.

Balancing their various commitments was a challenge that both brothers managed well. Gavin utilized his summer breaks for volunteering to avoid conflicts with his academic responsibilities.

“I was able to manage my life as my workload for school wasn’t too heavy,” Gavin said.

Blake prioritized his academic success and fit in personal development and volunteering around his schoolwork.

“The flexibility of the Congressional Award allowed me to manage my time effectively,” Blake said.

Gavin and Blake both encourage other young people to participate in the Congressional Award program.

“It helps with learning about your community and is a great use of time. It also is good for your college resume as it has lots of service hours,” Gavin said. And there you have it!