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Midland sisters receive Congressional awards
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| Katharine and Christine Folger, with U.S. Congressman Mike Conaway. |
Putting in 1,000 hours between them and earning bronze and gold Congressional Award Medals will not stop Katharine and Christine Folger from doing more volunteer work.
by Ruth Campbell
Midland Reporter-Telegram
Putting in 1,000 hours between them and earning bronze and gold Congressional Award Medals will not stop Katharine and Christine Folger from doing more volunteer work.
Eighteen-year-old Katharine Folger, who will attend Notre Dame University this fall, logged 800 hours -- 400 in community service, 200 hours each of personal development and physical fitness and six of expedition/exploration.
Midland High School senior Christine Folger, 17, did 100 hours of community service, 50 hours each of personal development and physical fitness and four hours of expedition/exploration.
The sisters, who were presented with the medals at ClayDesta Atrium by U.S. Rep. Mike Conaway, R-Midland, on Monday, don't feel right if they're not giving of their time.
"When I'm not volunteering, it feels different. It feels like I should be doing that. I'll probably still volunteer at Teen Court, as well as giving blood," 17-year-old Christine Folger said.
They have volunteered for Midland Memorial Hospital, Midland Fair Havens, Casa de Amigos, Safeplace and Midland-Odessa Symphony and Chorale. The two say everything between them is competitive.
At first, they tried to see who could put in the most hours, which spurred both of them on. "That's probably why I finished earlier," Katharine said.
"Toward the end," Christine said, "we just enjoyed working together."
Their parents, Lois and Richard Folger, both volunteer for a variety of different causes. Richard Folger is on the board of trustees for Midland Memorial Hospital. But it's not just their parents who inspire them.
"A lot of it comes from the people we help, seeing the smile on the kids' faces at Fair Havens, or making sure we're an extra help at the hospital," Katharine said.
"A lot of the people at the hospital were very gracious, in terms of getting them popcorn, telling them where they needed to go or answering phone calls," Christine said. "Everyone at the hospital seemed nice. It really made you feel good about yourself every day when you worked there."
"It made you want to come back," Katharine said.
Conaway said it was "pretty cool" and a bit unusual to give awards to sisters at the same time.
"We have two young women that are very bright and dedicated to their community. We've had siblings in the past, just not siblings that were this close together. Once a family understands what the program is, they're more likely to have their other children participate," Conaway said.
The Congressional award program is aimed at 14- to 23-year-olds. Participants earn Bronze, Silver and Gold Congressional Award Certificates and medals. Conaway said you don't win scholarships from it, but it can get you noticed.
"It clearly demonstrates follow through. Every kid in the world starts a lot of stuff, but they don't follow through," Conaway said. It also helps show employers what kind of staff member a youngster could be and how well they can do in school.
Of course, their mother, on hand for the photo shoot and mini ceremony, is proud of her daughters.
"Both of the girls have ended up really enjoying their volunteer service. Katharine, even after she finished her goal, wants to continue to volunteer and I think that's the most important message. It does instill a good volunteer spirit. You have a sense of participation and commitment to the community," Lois Folger said.
On the Net:
www.congressionalaward.org
Congressional Awards
- Created by Congress to promote and recognize achievement, initiative and service in America's youth. Participants set personally challenging goals that build character and foster community service, personal development and citizenship.
- The honor is non-partisan, voluntary and non-competitive. It is open to all 14- to 23-year-olds.
- Participants earn Bronze, Silver and Gold Congressional Award Certificates and Bronze, Silver and Gold Congressional Award Medals. Each level involves setting goals in four program areas; volunteer public service, personal development, physical fitness and expedition/exploration.
- Both girls had Laurie Bush, a first grade teacher at Greathouse Elementary School, as their advisor.
- For personal development, Katharine learned to play several challenging pieces on the piano and she performed at recitals and assemblies. Her physical fitness goals focused on improving her soccer skills.
- She increased her athletic abilities by running distances and sprints, by exercising for strength and flexibility, and by executing soccer drills. Katharine completed a number of expeditions including salt water fishing, snow skiing and snowboarding, camping and horseback riding.
- The highlight of the sisters' explorations was participating in the People to People Student Ambassador Program and going to England, France and Italy.
- Christine Folger, for personal development, played the piano, read books and took CPR and first aid classes. Her physical fitness goals included pole vaulting, cheerleading, gymnastics, running and strength training. She completed expeditions including fishing, snow skiing and snowboarding, camping and horseback riding.
-Christine Folger is co-captain of the varsity cheerleading squad, senior class secretary and a member of the Model Organization of American States team.
Eighteen-year-old Katharine Folger, who will attend Notre Dame University this fall, logged 800 hours -- 400 in community service, 200 hours each of personal development and physical fitness and six of expedition/exploration.
Midland High School senior Christine Folger, 17, did 100 hours of community service, 50 hours each of personal development and physical fitness and four hours of expedition/exploration.
The sisters, who were presented with the medals at ClayDesta Atrium by U.S. Rep. Mike Conaway, R-Midland, on Monday, don't feel right if they're not giving of their time.
"When I'm not volunteering, it feels different. It feels like I should be doing that. I'll probably still volunteer at Teen Court, as well as giving blood," 17-year-old Christine Folger said.
They have volunteered for Midland Memorial Hospital, Midland Fair Havens, Casa de Amigos, Safeplace and Midland-Odessa Symphony and Chorale. The two say everything between them is competitive.
At first, they tried to see who could put in the most hours, which spurred both of them on. "That's probably why I finished earlier," Katharine said.
"Toward the end," Christine said, "we just enjoyed working together."
Their parents, Lois and Richard Folger, both volunteer for a variety of different causes. Richard Folger is on the board of trustees for Midland Memorial Hospital. But it's not just their parents who inspire them.
"A lot of it comes from the people we help, seeing the smile on the kids' faces at Fair Havens, or making sure we're an extra help at the hospital," Katharine said.
"A lot of the people at the hospital were very gracious, in terms of getting them popcorn, telling them where they needed to go or answering phone calls," Christine said. "Everyone at the hospital seemed nice. It really made you feel good about yourself every day when you worked there."
"It made you want to come back," Katharine said.
Conaway said it was "pretty cool" and a bit unusual to give awards to sisters at the same time.
"We have two young women that are very bright and dedicated to their community. We've had siblings in the past, just not siblings that were this close together. Once a family understands what the program is, they're more likely to have their other children participate," Conaway said.
The Congressional award program is aimed at 14- to 23-year-olds. Participants earn Bronze, Silver and Gold Congressional Award Certificates and medals. Conaway said you don't win scholarships from it, but it can get you noticed.
"It clearly demonstrates follow through. Every kid in the world starts a lot of stuff, but they don't follow through," Conaway said. It also helps show employers what kind of staff member a youngster could be and how well they can do in school.
Of course, their mother, on hand for the photo shoot and mini ceremony, is proud of her daughters.
"Both of the girls have ended up really enjoying their volunteer service. Katharine, even after she finished her goal, wants to continue to volunteer and I think that's the most important message. It does instill a good volunteer spirit. You have a sense of participation and commitment to the community," Lois Folger said.
On the Net:
www.congressionalaward.org
Congressional Awards
- Created by Congress to promote and recognize achievement, initiative and service in America's youth. Participants set personally challenging goals that build character and foster community service, personal development and citizenship.
- The honor is non-partisan, voluntary and non-competitive. It is open to all 14- to 23-year-olds.
- Participants earn Bronze, Silver and Gold Congressional Award Certificates and Bronze, Silver and Gold Congressional Award Medals. Each level involves setting goals in four program areas; volunteer public service, personal development, physical fitness and expedition/exploration.
- Both girls had Laurie Bush, a first grade teacher at Greathouse Elementary School, as their advisor.
- For personal development, Katharine learned to play several challenging pieces on the piano and she performed at recitals and assemblies. Her physical fitness goals focused on improving her soccer skills.
- She increased her athletic abilities by running distances and sprints, by exercising for strength and flexibility, and by executing soccer drills. Katharine completed a number of expeditions including salt water fishing, snow skiing and snowboarding, camping and horseback riding.
- The highlight of the sisters' explorations was participating in the People to People Student Ambassador Program and going to England, France and Italy.
- Christine Folger, for personal development, played the piano, read books and took CPR and first aid classes. Her physical fitness goals included pole vaulting, cheerleading, gymnastics, running and strength training. She completed expeditions including fishing, snow skiing and snowboarding, camping and horseback riding.
-Christine Folger is co-captain of the varsity cheerleading squad, senior class secretary and a member of the Model Organization of American States team.
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Mark LaCroix wrote on Jul 22, 2008 8:24 AM:
Mr. L "