Local youth earn Congressional Awards Published May 17, 2012 OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- Twenty-four local students were honored for their achievements with Congressional Awards during a ceremony at the Bellevue Public Schools Welcome Center in Bellevue May 14. Rep. Lee Terry, Brig. Gen. Don Bacon, 55th Wing commander and Frank Harwood, Bellevue Public Schools superintendent, praised the winners for their dedication, initiative, leadership and service to their peers, schools and local community during the program. "The future of our country with young people like this is very bright," Rep. Terry said. "Give them the credit for what they've done and encourage them to continue to succeed." "This is a great program and I am honored to be here today to congratulate these students for their hard work and dedication," Bacon said. "It's students like these that help make our country what it is today." "These students have worked incredibly hard and have earned this distinction today," Harwood said, "I'm very proud to be here to help honor them." The Congressional Award, established in 1979, gives young people the opportunity to set and achieve goals in four areas: volunteer public service, personal development, physical fitness and expedition/exploration activities. Participants can earn awards at six different levels: bronze, silver and gold medals and bronze, silver and gold certificates. Each level is cumulative, carrying over to the next level. Candidates as young as 14 years old may win awards and goals must be accomplished before the participants' 24th birthday. Participants work with an adult advisor to set individual goals and plan activities to reach those goals to earn an award. One objective of the Congressional Award program is to teach young participants that communities can benefit from their service and their service to the community opens up opportunities for them. It develops and reinforces democratic values and ideals on a personal level. It is important to note these young people are not alone as they work to achieve their goals. Parents, teachers, club leaders and other adult volunteers provide support, guidance and encouragement along the way. Also honored at the ceremony, was Ashley Eisert, who recently was named the 2012 Air Combat Command's youth of the year. "We are so proud that she gets to represent not only the 22 wings of Air Combat Command, but also Offutt Air Force Base, at the Air Force level," Bacon said. "What an awesome job." Honored at this year's Congressional Award ceremony with medals were: Gold Medal John Aumen Laura Aumen Matthew Aumen Nathan Feldmann Matthew Ostdiek Jacob Terneus Silver Medal Alysa Dail Brianna Eisert Rebecca Sis Abby Smith Katelyn Sorensen Ryan Britten Bronze Medal Jacob Grabowski Elease Greedy Loriana Harkey Sarah Jurek Apoorva Sharma Mary Wier Daniel Woodworth Silver Certificate Agnes Query Bronze Certificate Megan Feldmann Katie Green Erica Lunde Angel Sumpter