Congratulations – TEECS grade 10 student, Charlene, has met the challenge of the United States Congress!

The Congressional Award is Congress’s only charity. Established to law in 1979, the Congressional Award was created to honor, encourage, and inspire America’s youth. In the ensuing years, Congress has recognized thousands of outstanding young Americans who have earned and deserve our admiration and recognition.

Through the Congressional Award, Congress urges young people to challenge themselves. Any interested, motivated student, aged 13 ½ through 23 years old, may participate in the Congressional Award by setting and achieving individually challenging goals in four program areas: Voluntary Public Service, Personal Development, Physical Fitness and Expedition/Exploration. The Congressional Award adapts to meet the needs of every participant as they set goals according to their own interests and level of abilities.

Charlene has earned the Congressional Award Silver Medal. To earn the Silver Medal, each participant must complete at least 200 hours of Voluntary Public Service, which means sharing their time and talent for the betterment of the community, 100 hours of Personal Development, which can include developing social and life skills as well as interests, and 100 hours of Physical Fitness, spent in any way that improves their health and quality of life. Additionally, they must spend at least 3 days and 2 nights exploring a new environment or culture. They have been consistently working to achieve this award for over 12 months, the minimum time frame to earn the Silver Medal.

To earn this award, Charlene completed the following:

“I am honored to receive the Silver Congressional Award. For personal development, I have learned how to code and fly a DJI drone. Flying a drone is an amazing experience. I have learned how to compete in drone racing. I plan to develop stronger drone flying skills. I have received several drone awards. It is an honor to be a girl who codes. I plan to encourage young women to engage in STEM activities. For volunteering service, I have also written letters to seniors and veterans who can often feel lonely. I write funny stories to them and I give them fun word search activities to complete. This is so important to me.”

Charlene did not “win” the award – she EARNED it! We are very proud of Charlene and hope we can work together to recognize more outstanding youth.