By Jennifer Ersalesi
The Congressional Award, the United States Congress' Award for America's Youth, is presented once a year to those who have set specific, challenging goals to earn volunteer hours in four different areas and have achieved them. These four areas are Voluntary Public Service, Personal Development, Physical Fitness, and Expedition/ Exploration. Two Rutherford High School students earned Congressional Awards this past year. This is Rutherford interviewed Drew Carney and Jack Staselis to learn more about them and how they earned Congressional Awards.
TIR: How many volunteer hours did you complete to earn this award?
Drew Carney: In total I completed 200 hours to receive this award. 100 Voluntary Public Service, 50 hours Personal Development, 50 hours physical fitness
Jack Staselis: I did over 100 hours of volunteer work to earn this award.
TIR: Which medal did you receive...Bronze, Silver, or Gold?
DC: I received the Bronze medal
JS: I received the Bronze medal.
TIR: Why did you choose to pursue this goal?
DC: I choose to pursue this goal since it ran through my family and my brother and Aunt completed it.
JS: I choose to pursue this goal because I always want to give back to my community and help others so I thought It would be an amazing opportunity to try and earn this award.
TIR: Who mentored you through this process?
DC: My Mom mentored me through this and encouraged me to complete the hours and complete this amazing award.
JS: Through the process I had my parents help me complete this and I couldn't have done it without them because they pushed me to keep doing it and I am so glad they did.
TIR: Where did you volunteer? What were your volunteer responsibilities?
DC: I volunteered at the Kip Center as well as the Rutherford Food Pantry. My tasks I had to complete for this award varied from managing inventory of the pantry to helping and handing out food to the elderly at the Kip.
JS: In the course of trying to earn the Bronze medal I volunteered at the Humane society of Bergen county, the Kip Center, and the Rutherford Recreation for Track and Field.
Director of the Kip Center, Cathy Baviello, explained "55 Kip Center relies heavily on volunteers, particularly those who feel they can help our organization reach its mission. Drew and Jack's participation in our program was greatly appreciated. They always showed great respect and genuineness towards everyone and projected a positive attitude."
TIR: How do you feel after earning this award?
DC: I felt like I earned a huge accomplishment and I felt good following in my family’s footsteps. Also my grandpa who recently passed really wanted me to complete this medal so when I did it made me feel really good.
JS: After receiving this award I feel accomplished because I put in so much work to get this and it paid off. I feel like I have helped my community and served my purpose.
TIR: Why do you believe young people should volunteer in their communities?
DC: I feel like you never realize what you could learn from it and what connections and memories you could potentially create from this wonderful thing if you go out and try.
JS: I believe young people should volunteer in their community because it works on your personal growth. It helps them develop life skills such as leadership, communication, and teamwork.
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