Brother-And-Sister Team Achieve Congressional Award Silver Medal

By Larissa Lytwyn

Twins Scott and Stacy Shpunt, seniors at Newtown High School, received the Congressional Award Silver Medal in a special presentation by First Selectman Herb Rosenthal, Congresswoman Nancy Johnson, and Senator John McKinney on February 4 at Edmond Town Hall.

The Congressional Award student volunteer program challenges students to fulfill goals in volunteerism, personal development, physical fitness, and exploration/travel activities. Students are eligible for bronze, silver, and gold medals based on the number of hours and goal areas they complete.

Scott and Stacy plan to continue working toward achieving their gold medals. Gold medals are awarded in a special ceremony each spring in Washington, D.C. The twins anticipate receiving their gold medals in spring 2006.

Scott and Stacy have spent the last few years painting and renovating homes for families in need in Delaware and Maine as part of a Christian work camp managed by Newtown Congregational Church. As part of the personal development aspect of the program, Scott and Stacy assisted their mother on her job in an orthodontist’s office. Stacy also served as a waitress at the Firehouse Deli.

The youths also helped organize Newtown’s Soccer Club tournament last Memorial Day.

In addition, to complete their travel requirement, the youths went whitewater rafting in the Adirondacks.

As part of the physical fitness requirement, Scott also completed a 5K race.

An additional travel requirement for the silver medal was fulfilled last summer when the teens took part in a Civil War reenactment in Goshen during last June 19 and 20. The teens found out about the reenactment through a simple Internet search and thought it would be a perfect activity for the Congressional Award program.

The two photographed “The Battle of Wadham’s Grove” hosted by Company H, 1st Maryland Infantry, part of Jackson’s Valley Campaign in Harrisonburg, Penn. Company H was part of the 6th Regiment, First Division of the Army of Northern Virginia, dubbed the “Liberty Greys.” Reenactor Marc Bassos organized the event.

Some of Company H’s members, comprised of both military and civilian reenactors, have participated in the filming of Civil War epics including Glory, Gettysburg, and Gods and Generals.

More than 1,000 reenactors from across New England participated in the event.

The twins, dressed in 19th Century garb provided by one of the reenactors, said they had loved taking pictures of everything from battles to dancing to cooking.

“I had expected getting our silver medals later in the year,” said Stacy. “I was expected them this summer. But we got them much earlier than either of us had expected!”

In her presentation of the medals, Ms Johnson said, “This may seem like déjà vu, but there is never a déjà vu for hard work!”

She praised the students for their myriad accomplishments as a reflection of their “strong dedication to community.”

Mr Rosenthal said Scott and Stacy “were to be commended” for their ongoing work in the Congressional Award program.

Established in 1979, the Congressional Award program is a nonpartisan partnership between congress and the private sector. Appointed by the Joint Leadership of Congress, a volunteer Board of Directors comprised of both private citizens and congress members manage the program each year. For more information about the program, visit www.congressionalaward.org/congress.