Salem College junior Madison Thomas has earned the Congressional Gold Medal – the U.S. Congress’ highest award for young Americans.
Participants in this program earn Bronze, Silver and Gold medals by setting and achieving goals in four program areas: personal development, physical fitness, volunteer public service and expedition/exploration.
Thomas was selected after satisfying goals in each of the four categories by achieving such accomplishments as completing more than 400 volunteer hours and planning and implementing a five-day tour of towns in North and South Carolina to research how the outsourcing of textile jobs has affected local economies.
Thomas will attend a June ceremony on Capitol Hill, where members of Congress will present the awards to their constituents.