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The 2011 Gold Medal Ceremony was a success June 23, as 150 youth made their way across the country to receive their Congressional Award Gold Medals on Capitol Hill. Including local ceremonies for those unable to attend the national event, a total of 246 young people earned Congress’ Highest Award for Youth. Set in the Cannon Caucus Room, the ceremony was alive with Members of Congress, Civic Leaders, Family and Friends— all to recognize the deserving youth.
Scott Thuman and Cyneé Simpson of ABC, WJLA served as the Masters of Ceremonies, Scott hosting the morning ceremony and Cyneé hosting the afternoon.
In the morning ceremony, medalists from Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas and Wyoming were recognized by their respective Congressional Delegations.
Several members of the Congressional Award Board of Directors joined Chairman Paxton Baker in presenting the Congressional Award Gold Medal to the 2011 Gold Medalists, including Vice Chairwoman Dr. Linda Mitchell and Lynn Lyons. President and CEO of the Professional Services Council Stan Soloway gave the keynote speech, focusing on volunteerism and moving into adulthood through programs like Americorps NCCC. Mr. William Li of Stuart, Florida gave his reflection on the Congressional Award program to close out the morning event.
Medalists from California, Connecticut, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, Virginia and Washington were then recognized in the afternoon ceremony and Ms. Anusha Koganti of Cupertino, California gave the Gold Medalist perspective for the ceremony. Mr. Steve Culbertson, CEO of Youth Service America inspired the medalists with a keynote speech.
The week actually began with the 2011 Gold Nation Program on Sunday, June 19, 2011. Fifty Gold Medalists from across the country assembled at George Mason University to meet and network and explore the Nation's Capital for the week. Gold Nation Medalists also had the opportunity to meet Horizon Award Honoree, Dominique Dawes, for her work with youth and physical fitness at the annual Youth Wellness Dinner on June 21, 2011. Finally, all medalists and guests were invited to events on and around Capitol Hill on June 22, 2011. The day started with the Senate Spouses Luncheon, followed by group pictures and tours of the Capitol and concluded with a Nationals Game at Nationals Stadium.
As is the case every year, the Congressional Award could not recognize these deserving youth without the help and time of our Congressional Offices who coordinate the schedules to ensure a presentation, the Senate Spouses who came out to meet the Medalists, the volunteer chaperones from the Gold Nation Program who tirelessy lead the group from site to site, the Congressional Staff Members who secured tours for the families and constituents and the Congressional Award Board Members who took time out of their schedules to meet the youth, or who donated items or services to the events. Recognizing the Gold Medalists is the highlight of the year and we could not make these presentations without the support of Congressional Offices.
The 2011 Gold Medalists have contributed more than 100,000 hours of voluntary service in communities across the country through the Congressional Award program. The Annual Gold Medal Ceremony serves not only as a way of recognizing these deserving youth for their commitment to themselves, their communities and their country. The Gold Ceremony also serves as a reminder to each Member of Congress, each Advisor, each Validator, every person touched by these youth— volunteer public service at an early age grows a spirit of civic engagement and initiative that lasts a lifetime. The Leadership of Congress and the National Board of Directors for the Congressional Award, along with civic leaders, parents, family and friends, are proud of what each of our 2011 Gold Medalists have accomplished and look forward to seeing what these youth will do next.
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