Kathi Stanhope Three Potomac students were awarded the Congressional Award by Congressman Christopher Van Hollen Jr. (D-Dist. 8) for their achievements in physical fitness, personal development, volunteerism and exploration/expedition. (From left) Sara Ewel, 17, a junior at Winston Churchill High School, Van Hollen, Collin Stanhope, 17, a senior at Churchill, and Adam Ewel, 18, a senior at Montgomery Blair High School.

For Collin Stanhope, 17, the real reward in getting the Congressional Award was in meeting the challenge.

He and two friends, Sara Ewel, 17, and Adam Ewel, 18, all of Potomac, received Congressional Award medals from Congressman Christopher Van Hollen Jr. (D-Dist.8) May 22.

The Congressional Award Program challenges youth to set goals in four areas: voluntary public service, personal development, physical fitness and exploration/expedition.

It was a good challenge, a good goal and it felt good to accomplish it, Collin said.

Collin, a graduating senior at Winston Churchill High School in Potomac, received a bronze medal at the ceremony is Van Hollens Rockville office.

He was recognized for 100 hours of volunteer Service, 50 hours of physical fitness and personal development and planned a one-night exploration.

Adam, a graduating senior at Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, and Sara, a rising senior at Churchill, each received the Silver Medal. They completed 200 hours of service, 100 hours each of personal and physical development activities and planned two expedition/ explorations.

There also is a gold medal which is double the Silver Medal requirements.

All three students are members of their school swim team and got physical fitness hours that way.

Link:
Gazette.Net: Potomac teens earn Congressional Award for youth