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 refereeing for basketball I realized it takes hard work and commitment, because nothing is free.

I used to think it’s my way or no way until I volunteered at the Red Cross. Knowing about the disasters individuals face, I have been more open to choose the right way. I used to feel I had no time for elders. After volunteering at the Masti Ghar Senior Citizens Club, I felt the happiness and priceless smiles I shared with the elderly.

I was good at art, but started to develop my personal interest in photography, scrapbooks, painting and celebrating my Sweet Sixteen with the artistic memories I created. I became even better at dance. “You’re amazing,” others commented when I performed, rewarding my physical fitness record book.

I explored India, where I was born, for my Exploration. I loved the nature, the architecture, the people, and the culture.

Thank you Congressional Award for helping me to be a better person from all angles. With the drive to earn the Congressional Award Gold Medal, my advisor’s support, my family’s support, my hard work, and God’s blessing, I blossomed into a better person. I hope and pray to continue this journey of life.

~Drishti Lakhia
2012 Gold Medalist

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, and when I heard about the Congressional Award from a friend in my home town I thought of it as a natural extension to my interests and knew it was something I wanted to be involved in.

Working to attain goals I set for myself in the categories of Volunteer Public Service, Personal Development, Physical Fitness and Expedition/Exploration was an extremely rewarding experience- one where I met amazing people, organized a successful clothing drive for a homeless shelter, started a profitable jewelry business, was an active member and captain of various varsity sports teams and organized and participated in an expedition/exploration trip – just to name a few of the incredible experiences I was part of during my journey for the Congressional Award. Keeping a journal and logging my hours for the Congressional Award taught me to stay organized and was a great way to reflect on all the hard work I put into my gold medal.

The lessons and experiences I gained from the Congressional Award are ones I have been able to carry with me throughout my life. I found myself using the organizational and time management skills I learned from my time with the Congressional Award during college and being very grateful I had that experience under my belt. Now that I am in the work world, I find myself reverting back to and talking about my experiences with the Congressional Award and how it set me up to have a positive future— the Congressional Award is for people who are willing to work hard and make a difference.

The Congressional Award’s influence on your life does not go away once you receive your award; in fact, receiving the award is just the beginning. Your time with the Congressional Award is the brick work for the foundation of your life. You learn how to challenge yourself, work hard and truly make a difference in other people’s lives and in your own. Everything that you do after is influenced by the Congressional Award, and I really believe that I am a better person because of my experience with the Congressional Award. I hope that you too see the benefits of the Congressional Award and challenge yourself to become a Congressional Award recipient. It will change your life for the better!


~Ashleigh Alexandra L. Serrano
2010 Gold Medalist