|
| [Washington, DC] – Congressman Vito Fossella
(R-NY13) today presented the nation's highest honor for America's youth,
the Congressional Award, to Danielle McLaughlin of Great Kills during a
ceremony in his District Office.
McLaughlin, 17, a student at Moore Catholic High School,
today received the Silver Medal after completing at least 200 hours of
public service, 100 hours of personal development, 100 hours of physical
fitness and 2 overnight trips. As the first recipient of the Maverick Foundation
Gullickson-McGuire Memorial Scholarship at Moore Catholic, McLaughlin is
required to attain the Gold Medal by graduation (400 hours of public service,
200 hours of personal development, 200 hours of physical activity and four
overnight trips).
“On behalf of the people of Staten Island, it is my honor
to recognize the academic and personal achievements of Danielle McLaughlin,”
Fossella said. “Danielle has made not just her family proud, but all of
Staten Island in being awarded the prestigious Congressional Award. Danielle’s
success stands as an example of the potential in every student to achieve
his or her goals and dreams. The answer lies in working hard, studying,
reading and dedicating one’s self to attaining the very best education
possible. We wish Danielle all the success in the world as she pursues
academic and personal excellence in the years ahead.”
Established in 1979, the Congressional Award is presented
annually to students who set and achieve goals in four areas: voluntary
public service, personal development, physical fitness and expedition/exploration.
Public Service
McLaughlin fulfilled her public service requirements by
volunteering with the Protectors of Pine Oak Woods, the Staten Island Friends
for Hospice, New York City Parks Department, St. Patrick’s Parish and
Moore Catholic Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Personal Development
McLaughlin met the personal development requirements by
serving on the Moore Catholic Student Government, Moore Catholic Literary
Arts Magazine, Moore Catholic Art Club an the National Honor Society. She
has accumulated 100 hours in this category.
Physical Activity
McLaughlin has been the starting guard for the Moore Catholic
Varsity basketball team, in which she earned MVP honors, starting goalkeeper
for the Moore Catholic Soccer team, in which she was awarded the Most Improved
Player honors, and a member of the Richmond County Renegades AAU Basketball
team.
Expedition/Exploration
McLaughlin already completed three days and two nights
on a horse farm in upstate New York.
The Maverick Foundation established the Gullickson-McGuire
Memorial Scholarship to honor the lives of Joe Gullickson (Moore Class
of 1982) and Dan McGuire (Moore Class of 1977). Gullickson was a lieutenant
with Ladder Company 101 of the New York City Fire Department. He was killed
on September 11, 2001. McGuire was killed in an automobile accident in
September 1976 at the age of 17.
Fossella presented McLaughlin with the Congressional Award
Bronze Medal last year.
|