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Posted on June 29, 2012 at 10:06 AM

NEW ORLEANS A 2012 graduate at Mt. Carmel Academy was awarded the Congressional Award Gold Medal, a physical fitness and personal development award.

Amanda Nicole Kruse, the daughter of Dr. Mark and Debbie Kruse, of Metairie, was the only Louisianan to win the award this year.

This singular charity of the United States Congress challenges young people to meet fitness goals, to volunteer their time, to work on personal development, and to take part in an expedition or exploration. The program is for young people ages 13 to under 24 years of age, so a student could take 10 years to meet all of the goals. Amanda, however, earned her Bronze, Silver, and Gold Certificates and her Bronze, Silver, and Gold Medals all in just two and a half years, said a statement from Mt. Carmel.

Kruse is the eighth Louisianan to win the medal since the program began in 1979.

"It makes me feel good to help people. God granted me with so much, so it is my responsibility to help those less fortunate," said Kruse.

According to Mt. Carmel, Kruse has dedicated about 1,800 service hours through 17 different charities since ninth grade at the school.

Kruse plans to attend Louisiana State University in the fall, and, in June, she went to Washington, D.C. in June with her parents to receive her award.

"The Congressional Award gave me a lifetime of memories that I will cherish," she said. "Without the program, I would have never thought half of the things I did were possible."

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Mt. Carmel grad wins prestigious congressional gold medal