Bronze Congressional Award for Youth bestowed to deserving Woodlands teens

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- All three teenagers knew when they arrived at Edie Connelly’s courtroom, is that they had fulfilled the necessary requirements to receive the Congressional Bronze Medal Award, and that their Congressman, The Honorable Kevin Brady, would be doing the honors. When they saw the bevy of photographers and reporters, they collectively thought to themselves, “This is a big deal!”

Yes, it was. The Congressional Award for youths between the ages of 13 1/2 and 24, is an ardurous process of volunteerism and copious record-keeping, that must fulfill specific criteria. Only six earned this prestigious medal from Congressman Brady’s 8th District. Three were on hand to receive their medals.

Claire Cromley of the John Cooper School, and brother and sister, Brian and Catherine Seelig, both of The Woodlands High School. Congressman Brady outlined the criteria for the Congressional Medal Award for Youth.

The medal is awarded for, and must include, goals in these four areas:

- Volunteer Public Service
- Personal Development
- Physical Fitness
- Expedition/Exploration

(To view the exact requirements for the Bronze, as well as the Silver and Gold Awards, view the link provided.)

In making the presentation, Congressman Brady shared the following comments in the video attached.

The Bronze Congressional Medal Award was then ceremoniously presented to the three recipients, and each had an opportunity to address the crowd present.

“I wanted to encourage other students to put down their iPhones and read more,” said Claire Cromley. “I grew up in the public library. I started going when I was a little girl, and developed a love of books and reading,” said Claire Cromley. “I know all the librarians and I asked them how I could give back, so I started volunteering my time working at the library and helping them with the programs that encourage people to read more.”

The daughter of Kathy and David Cromley of The Woodlands, they insisted that Claire needed no encouragement to read and get involved with reading programs at the library. In fact, one of the stipulations to receive this award requires that the students be motivated and self-directed, keeping records of their goals and hours spent on their projects. The Dynamic Duo of Sally and Steven Seelig volunteered throughout the community with several programs. Brian concentrated his efforts at the resale shop, “Something Special,” located at 19073 I-45N, in the Portofino Shopping Center.

“The resale shop benefits the Montgomery County Women’s Shelter,” said Brian. “You can find me there on Saturdays, so bring your items. I’ll be there to check them in.”

The shelter is a safe refuge for abused women and children, and shelters more than 800 women and children every year; some nights as many as 75.

Catherine volunteered at the food pantry for Interfaith of The Woodlands and said she enjoys volunteering at The Woodlands Children’s Museum.

The public service requirement is very specific, and requires that the volunteerism be of service to the community as a whole, and not relegated to a specific group or organization.

“This is the fun part of my job,” said Congressman Brady after the awards ceremony. “There’s nothing I enjoy more than bestowing these honors on youth of this calibre. Just imagine if everyone in the community demonstrated this willingness to serve. No telling what we could accomplish collectively.”

The efforts put forth to achieve the bronze medal are accumulative and are applied to receive the Silver and Gold Congressional Medals. For more information about the Congressional Award for Youth, view the link provided.