Honolulu teen earns Congress top youth award after 420 volunteer hours

For 17-year-old Jessica Lee, earning the highest youth honor presented by the U.S. Congress was not the result of a single achievement. It came from hundreds of hours spent serving her community, years on the golf course, music rehearsals, an expedition and a determination to keep learning outside the classroom. The Punahou School senior from Honolulu received the Congressional Award Gold Medal in August, joining 877 young people across the country recognized with the honor this year, states the Aloha State Daily.420 hours serving her communityFor the uninitiated, the Congressional Award Gold Medal recognizes young people who complete a demanding two-year program covering voluntary public service, personal development, physical fitness and an expedition or exploration. Recipients must complete at least 400 hours of voluntary public service, 200 hours of personal development, 200 hours of physical fitness and a five-day, four-night expedition.