June 2012
1 post
7 tags
A Student Volunteer: 2011 Gold Medalist John...
John Langfield receives the State of Idaho Student Volunteer of the Year Award from Gov. Butch Otter and First Lady Lori Otter.
The Congressional Award Program has had an enormous and lasting impact on my entire family; I am the younger of two elder siblings, and all three of us worked to earn the Bronze, Silver, and Gold Congressional medals. All of the life lessons I learned while working...
May 2012
4 posts
13 tags
Sharing Talents and Services: 2012 Gold Medalist...
Zach Wong, a senior at Concord Prep High School in Santa Monica, California, earned his Congressional Award Gold Medal after completing more than 4,500 hours of activities in the program’s four areas: Voluntary Public Service, Personal Development, Physical Fitness and Expedition/Exploration.
When I first learned about the Congressional Award program, it was in middle school from my...
10 tags
Behind the Lectern, a Confident Young Lady: Gold...
Marissa Landon speaks at the 2011 Congressional Award Youth and Technology Dinner in Washington, DC. Marissa, who is currently pursuing her Congressional Award Gold Medal, centered many of her Personal Development hours around various social medias— a major mode of communication used by today’s world.
Behind the lectern, hopefully unseen to the distinguished audience out front, my...
10 tags
At the same Time, but at their own Pace: 2012 Gold...
Kelly (right) and Mark (middle) worked through the Award program together, sharing ideas, tips and even an Advisor— Mrs. Charlene Ernst (left). However, each set their own challenging goals according to their skill and knowledge.
As twins who are completely different from each other, we found the Congressional Award Program to be the perfect challenge. It allows you to plan goals that...
9 tags
Always There to Support Her: 2012 Gold Medalist...
2012 Gold Medalist Becky Page pauses for a picture with her friend, Troy McClain.
This June, I will be one of the proudest parents in Washington DC. My daughter, who is 22 and has Down Syndrome, will be accepting the Congressional Award Gold Medal from Congress.
Due to the support that Becky has received from her Support Workers in the Consumer Directed Program, Becky has achieved all of the...
April 2012
4 posts
12 tags
A Testimony to Motivation and Worth: 2009 Gold...
The Congressional Award has made a major impact on me both personally and professionally because it taught me about personal responsibility and the values of living a life that impacts the world around me. The self motivation and goal setting required to achieve the award and skills that will serve me in everything that I do.
I completed several different goals in order to achieve the...
13 tags
A Better Person from All Angles: 2012 Gold...
Drishti pauses for a photograph near the Taj Mahal while visiting India for her Expedition/Exploration.
It’s not who I was, it’s who I am after developing myself with the support of the Congressional Award. I used to be carefree and careless, but after volunteering at a foster home, I now value my family and my home sweet home. I used to think money grew on trees, but after...
12 tags
Consider Me a Role Model: 2012 Gold Medalist...
I have always been interested in bettering my community and being engaged with service, that is why prior to participating in the Congressional Award I completed 500 hours of service, by volunteering in my community and working with several local and national political campaigns since I was 10 years old. When I enrolled in the Congressional Award program I started working towards the required 400...
8 tags
March 2012
5 posts
7 tags
Setting Goals: Words of Encouragement from the...
From time to time, we at the National Office will ‘blog’ about various portions of the program that can be a bit challenging. Whether you’re a current participant, a long-time Advisor, or someone new to the program, we hope you’ll find the following information helpful!
Perhaps the most unique part of the Congressional Award program is the fact that you set your own goals for each of the four...
11 tags
The Fast Track, Amtrak and Beyond: Congressional...
President George H. W. Bush acknowledges Julius Jackson as a new
appointment in the George W. Bush Administration.
Recognized with the highest level of award from the Boy Scouts of America and Congress’ Award for Youth, Julius Jackson is no stranger to striving to reach his highest potential. After attending Texas A&M University and the Corps of Cadets, Mr. Jackson accepted a position in...
17 tags
Time, Perseverance and Patience: 2012 Gold Medal...
Mrs. Mary Rodgers and Mary Cate Muschett. In addition to serving as an Advisor, Mrs. Rodgers also serves on the National Board of Directors for the Congressional Award Foundation. Mary Cate has recently finished her activities toward the Gold Medal, joining the ranks of the nearly 400 students who have pursued a Congressional Award under Mrs. Rodgers’ Advisorship.
After my final day of...
11 tags
A Legacy of Volunteer Work: 2011 Bronze Medalist &...
The Congressional Award shares a national partnership with the
AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) program.
Each year, hundreds of young Corps members earn a
Congressional Award through their AmeriCorps NCCC Service.
I participated in the Congressional Award through the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps. Upon entering the program, I was told that I was now part...
11 tags
From Volunteer to Division I Coach: Gold Medalist...
Melissa Katz: Full-time coach, part-time photographer. Melissa’s interest in photography became a downright passion after devoting more than 200 hours to the subject for her Personal Development. In addition to coaching at the NCAA Division I level, she freelances as a professional photographer and layout designer, working with websites, wallpapers, landscapes and even the occasional...
February 2012
4 posts
12 tags
Congressional Award Advisor and Maverick...
Chief James Boylan and Fireman Chris Quin of the Fire Department of New York join (from left to right) Maverick Foundation founders Jim McGuire and Robert Gullickson in honoring their program’s scholarship recipients: 2011 Gold Medalist Joseph Plescia, 2012 Gold Medal Candidate Michelle De Tomaso, 2011 Bronze Medalist Victoria Vega, as well as Congressional Award participants Jessica Halter...
11 tags
Young American Non-Profit Leader: Kaitlyn Chana
Kaitlyn Chana, 2010 Gold Medalist and Founder and President of Love Letter: Random Cards of Kindness
Having the honor of earning the Congressional Gold Medal is extremely rewarding. The Gold Nation Experience was full of wonderful memories that brought smiles, laughter, and pure happiness to my heart. Each visit to the different museums, touring the monuments, and learning about our rich history...
9 tags
America will be the better for it: Andrew F....
Andrew Ortiz speaks at the HOBY Awards Dinner. HOBY shares a national partnership with the Congressional Award.
The Congressional Award is a program that I have long admired, and truly love. I first learned about the Congressional Award program in 1987 when I was Senior Class President at Tempe Union High School in Tempe, Arizona. The program was highly recommended to me by our late Arizona...
10 tags
The Journey Became the Reward: Gold Medalist Jason...
Mississippi Congressman Gregg Harper (MS03) (left) with
Jason Jones (right) at the Mississippi State Capitol
About ten years ago, my father handed me a magazine article titled “America’s Best Kept Secret.” Being naturally curious about this so-called ‘secret,’ I of course had to check it out, and since that day, my life has never been the same! So, dear...
January 2012
4 posts
11 tags
Good for our Students - Good for our Community:...
Wiley Dobbs (left) with Idaho Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter (right).
In December of 1993, I was the principal at O’Leary Junior High School in Twin Falls, Idaho. A parent came to me and asked me if I would be interested in a program called “The Congressional Award.” I told her I would look at it and unenthusiastically threw it in my pile of programs to look at. ...
8 tags
Earning the Award is Just the Beginning: Gold...
From left to right: Gold Medalist Alexander Serrano, Gold Medalist Ashleigh Serrano, U.S. Senator Scott Brown (Massachusetts), Gold Medalist Catherine Aker, and Gold Medalist Anthony Serrano.
The Congressional Award appealed to me in my youth because of my passion for and commitment to community service. I was always looking for different ways to be involved in community service projects,...
8 tags
An American Spring: Adam Ruiz, CAF Board of...
Lately, whenever I read the news or watch the news on TV, inevitably the focus is on what is not working well in our country. We are inundated with stories of how leaders are failing their constituents or even stories about failed or ineffective leadership.
Although at times I am tempted to despair about the “state of the world” after hearing such stories, I invariably find myself thinking of...
11 tags
Start with Running: Gold Medalist Kevin Suyo
Start with running. In ninth grade I was no sportsman: too lanky for football, too short for basketball, too uncoordinated for soccer. I was the studious type. By default I ran cross-country, but I treated it as a chore and not a passion; another required class in high school. I dreaded the bitter sprints on grey evenings and the cold slap of grainy mud on my calves. I hated the smell of the...