Teen Volunteers Honored With Congressional Awards

By Larissa Lytwyn

The shy smile of Newtown High School senior Alyssa McIntyre, 17, widens when she recalls her many visits with seniors at area nursing homes.

“It’s amazing how much they respond to you when you’re just there keeping them company,” she said. “Whether you play a game with them or just talk to them, it really means a lot.”

A Newtown High School cheerleader since her freshman year, Alyssa has brightened children’s days, too, as a counselor for a youth cheerleading program during the past two summers.

Alyssa was recently named as one of two Connecticut recipients of the Congressional Award Gold Medal for 400 hours of community service that began when she was in eighth grade.

After the September 11 attacks, Alyssa also helped organize a fundraising relief effort for the families of the World Trade Center victims and the Fireman’s Fund. She also led clothing drives for area families in need, collecting more than 10,000 items.

She was presented the award in a Washington, D.C., ceremony this past June along with 174 other honorees nationwide.

Congresswoman Nancy Johnson presented Alyssa with her Congressional Award Silver Medal during a special ceremony on June 20 at Edmond Town Hall.

She also presented bronze medals to twins Scott and Stacy Shpunt, also Newtown High School seniors.

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 accumulate.

To satisfy the exploration/travel portion of the program, Alyssa traveled to Madrid, Spain.

“It’s a beautiful country,” she said. “I loved seeing the different sights.”

To fulfill the personal development portion of the program, Alyssa pursued internships in journalism, dentistry, and photography, landing at a local dentist’s office that she said inspired her to pursue a career in the field.

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.

The teens also helped organize Newtown’s Soccer Club tournament, held this past Memorial Day.

To complete their travel requirement, the youths went whitewater rafting in the Adirondacks.

Scott also ran in a 5K race.

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 waiter at the Firehouse Deli.

“Scott, Stacy, and Alyssa’s accomplishments exemplify the cornerstones of the Congressional Award: service to others, initiative, and achievement,” Ms Johnson said. “They have made their families and their communities proud. I wish them much success as they move forward with their education.”

Ms Johnson also noted that in her 22 years in Congress, she had never before presented Congressional Awards to three recipients from the same town.

First Selectman Herb Rosenthal praised the students for their self-motivation. “More students from the community should participate [in this program],” he said.

Ms Johnson agreed. “People don’t always realize the difference that one person can make.”

She said that being “kind and generous” to others led to better communities, and ultimately, a stronger nation.

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.