Representing the 13th Congressional District of Pennsylvania
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 26, 2009 |
CONTACT: Rachel Magnuson, 202-225-6111 |
| U.S. Rep. Schwartz Commends Local Students for Winning the Prestigious Congressional Award Gold Medal |
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The Congressional Award is the United States Congress' award for young Americans. The program is open to all 14- to 23-year-olds. Participants earn Bronze, Silver and Gold Congressional Award Certificates and Bronze, Silver and Gold Congressional Award Medals. Each level involves setting goals in four program areas; Volunteer Public Service, Personal Development, Physical Fitness, and Expedition/Exploration.
U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz lauded the students for their hard work, volunteer efforts, and commitment to learning. “The Congressional Award Gold Medal is a tremendous honor, and I want to extend my personal congratulations to each of the student recipients from the 13th Congressional District. You each set an outstanding example, and I commend you,” said U.S. Rep. Schwartz.
2009 13th Congressional District Congressional Award Gold Medal Honorees
Cuiping Chen
Philadelphia
School: Penn State University
In earning her Congressional Award Gold Medal, Cuiping completed over 400 hours of Voluntary Public Service in her community by working under the direction of the Pennsylvania Migrant Education Program as a teacher’s aide. For Personal Development, she worked to improve her English skills in reading, writing and speaking to prepare for college acceptance. She pursued all avenues offered to learn about financial aid and how to successfully obtain post secondary acceptance. Cuiping also took up drawing and dancing. For Physical Fitness, Cuiping worked on improving her strength and stamina by climbing steps and doing sit-ups. Cuiping planned and participated in a five-day, four-night primitive camping experience in the Pocono Mountains for her Expedition.
Jillian Comer
Abington
School: Abington Senior High School
In earning her Congressional Award Gold Medal, Jillian gained her Voluntary Public Service hours by spending time during the school year and the summer at Beth Sholom’s Preschool and preschool camp. Jillian played games and performed activities with the children, in addition to helping the teachers out by acting as another set of hands. For Personal Development, Jillian was a part of the Isaac Mayer Wise program at Gratz College’s Mandell Campus to enhance her Judaic studies and obtain her Reform Teaching Certificate. Over the course of the year, Jillian took education classes at Gratz and worked as a teacher’s assistant at Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel. Jillian’s Physical Fitness goal to decrease her time in running the mile was achieved by running at the gym regularly. For Jillian’s Expedition portion of the Award, she hiked across Israel from the Sea of Galilee to the Mediterranean Sea.
Jacob Feldman
Huntingdon Valley
School: Abington Senior High School
To earn his Congressional Award Gold Medal, Jacob completed over 600 Voluntary Public Service hours at Special Equestrians, a therapeutic horseback riding facility for disabled children and adults. This focus inspired him to learn more about horses for his Personal Development goals, as he began taking riding lessons in preparation for his Therapeutic Riding Instructor Certification. For Personal Development, Jacob attended Hebrew School and Confirmation Classes, and prepared for college standardized tests. As his goal for Physical Fitness, Jacob dropped twenty seconds on his 500 yard Freestyle during the 2008-09 season after failing to even make the team during the 2006-07 season. Jacob took a three-week exchange trip to Germany for his Exploration, staying with an exchange student in Piding, Bavaria, Germany. He also attended a German Stadium for those weeks and was fully immersed in the German culture and language.
Julie Ann Haldeman
Meadowbrook
School: Abington Senior High School
For her Voluntary Public Service, Julie Ann served the greater Philadelphia community through creating and implementing projects as a leader in Abington High School’s Key Club. She applied her computer skills by teaching computer classes to elderly persons at a nursing home and updating records on an online library catalog for the local library. For Personal Development, Julie Ann challenged herself musically through participating in her church choir and hand bell choir. She also attended digital photography courses to better her photography and digital editing skills. Julie Ann biked over 500 miles to increase her endurance for Physical Fitness. Moreover, she learned the ancient practice of yoga. As part of her Exploration, Julie Ann spoke in French as she lived with a host family in Arles, France for three weeks.
James McDonald
Abington
School: Abington Senior High School
In his pursuit of the Congressional Award Gold Medal, James explored a wide array of service-based organizations. His most meaningful experiences were through his work with Special Olympics and the countless hours he devoted to aiding the victims of the genocide in Darfur. James sought to better himself for his Personal Development by studying Hebrew at the Jewish Community Center in Manhattan in an intensive four week course. Likewise, he delved deeper into his family’s personal Jewish history by cataloguing and preserving his Great-Grandfather’s collection of letters and documents from his time in World War II. For his Physical Fitness, James set out to improve his health by running and lifting weights. For his Gold Medal Expedition, James camped with three fellow Gold Medalists in a cabin in rural Pennsylvania for a week while exploring the frigid outdoors.
Julia Melin
Meadowbrook
School: Abington Senior High School
In earning her Congressional Award Gold Medal, Julia completed over 400 hours of Voluntary Public Service in her community by promoting cultural awareness. She founded a club at her school that sponsored cultural events and trips to increase tolerance and diversity. For Personal Development, she attended the Governor’s School for International Studies. After attending the Governor’s School she continued to practice Portuguese everyday. As her goal for Physical Fitness, Julia worked out at the gym at least three times a week, running and lifting weights. Julia’s Exploration brought her to France for four weeks where she explored French culture and practiced the French language.
Victoria Patchell
Abington
School: Abington Senior High School
In earning her Congressional Award Gold Medal, Victoria completed over 400 hours of Voluntary Public Service as a volunteer firefighter for the local volunteer fire department. For Personal Development, Victoria worked at a local supermarket, starting as a cashier and learning other department’s job skills. Victoria’s Physical Fitness goal was to complete physical therapy two to three times a week. Victoria’s Expedition took her to France and England for 19 days with People to People International, where she had a chance to visit Parliament in London and meet with some of its members.
Marta Piotrowicz
Glenside
School: Abington Senior High School
For her Voluntary Public Service, Marta volunteered several hours every week at Special Equestrians and Beyond Balance, stables that use horseback riding as therapy. She has also become involved in H2O for Life, raising money and spreading awareness about the global water crisis. For Personal Development, Marta worked 10 hours a week at a local café, improving her people skills and learning how to budget her money. Marta's Physical Fitness goal was to improve her horseback riding ability and become more flexible through yoga. For her Expedition, Marta stayed in a log cabin with three other students earning their Gold Medal.
Julia Powers
Glenside
School: Abington Senior High School
In earning her Congressional Award Gold Medal, Julia completed over 400 hours of Voluntary Public Service by raising awareness in her community about the world water crisis. She also volunteered at the Homework Helpline once a month to help other students. For Personal Development, she went to piano lessons and became better at reading music. As her Physical Fitness goal, she practiced tennis everyday, hoping to become a more focused player. Julia’s Expedition brought her to the woods of western Pennsylvania where she went camping for five days.
Michelle Wojciechowicz
Rydal
School: Abington Senior High School
In earning her Congressional Award Gold Medal, Michelle completed over 400 hours of Voluntary Public Service benefiting the local community. A thirteen-year member of the Girl Scouts, she participated in programs focused on the elderly, economically disadvantaged youth, environmental protection and mentoring younger children. For Personal Development, Michelle chose to improve her piano skills while learning music theory. Michelle also learned the skills involved in Orienteering which resulted in several top three finishes in Annual Scout Orienteering Championship Meets. For Physical Fitness, Michelle improved her skill in four competitive swim strokes, decreasing her time in each. Michelle canoed and explored the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness for the Expedition portion of her Award. She spent eight days utilizing a map and compass to navigate through the waterways while cooking, living outdoors, and portaging the canoe overland.
Tyler Zimmerman
Abington
School: Abington Senior High School
In earning his Congressional Award Gold Medal, Tyler completed over 400 hours of Voluntary Public Service through community clean-up and repairs in addition to participating in public performances with his church choir to raise money for underprivileged youth. For Personal Development, Tyler improved upon his classical singing ability by taking voice lessons and participating in musicals and choir events. Tyler’s Physical Fitness goal was to become a nationally ranked table tennis player and, over time, improve that national ranking. Through a number of tournaments, he learned more about the game of table tennis and became a better player. For the Expedition portion of the Award, Tyler planned a trip to Bermuda.
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