MEDALS OF VALLEY PRIDE LOCAL BUSINESS LEADERS HAIL CONGRESS' YOUNG ACHIEVERS.Byline: Helen Gao Staff Writer When Jill Savla heard about a devastating dev·as·tate tr.v. dev·as·tat·ed, dev·as·tat·ing, dev·as·tates 1. To lay waste; destroy. 2. To overwhelm; confound; stun: was devastated by the rude remark. earthquake in India in January, the Thousand Oaks High School Thousand Oaks High School is a high school established in 1962 and located in Thousand Oaks, California. It is a California Distinguished School, and offers curriculum at all levels for Thousand Oaks students. The mascot is the lancer. senior not only raised money and collected clothing, she delivered the goods to a relief center at the epicenter ep·i·cen·ter n. 1. The point of the earth's surface directly above the focus of an earthquake. 2. A focal point: stood at the epicenter of the international crisis. and performed volunteer work there. Tyler Ruebensaal combined his love of song with a desire to help others. The Chatsworth teen befriended mentally handicapped young people living in a group home and sang with them. He also volunteered as a counselor and tutor for Project GRAD, a college outreach program. On Friday, the two teens were recognized with Congressional Awards About the Award The Congressional Award is the U.S. Congress' award for young Americans. It is non-partisan, voluntary, and non-competitive. The program is open to all 14- to 23-year-olds. - the highest honor bestowed upon young Americans by Congress - during a special ceremony at the Autry Museum of Western Heritage in Griffith Park Griffith Park is a large public park at the eastern end of the Santa Monica Mountains. It is situated in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. The park covers 4,210 acres (17 km²) of land, making it one of the largest urban parks in North America. . Savla, 17, received a gold medal gold medal traditional first prize. [Western Cult: Misc.] See : Prize and Ruebensaal, 18, a bronze medal for contributing hundreds of hours in community service and striving for personal excellence. Organized by the Economic Alliance of the San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. , the event drew about 100 business leaders and elected officials. ``It's an amazing a·maze v. a·mazed, a·maz·ing, a·maz·es v.tr. 1. To affect with great wonder; astonish. See Synonyms at surprise. 2. Obsolete To bewilder; perplex. v.intr. honor. This is a medal from the people - the people of the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. ,'' said Ruebensaal, a freshman at Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh. The teens were honored alongside Jackie Autry Jackie Autry, (born Jacqueline Ellam) the former owner of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and widow of singer, actor and businessman Gene Autry. She is the Honorary President of Major League Baseball's American League, an office she has held since 1999. , wife of late Western icon Gene Autry, who was presented with the Horizon Award by actor Tom Selleck, a previous recipient of the same award. The Horizon Award, also sponsored by the Congressional Award Foundation, recognizes individuals for being shining examples for young people and expanding opportunities for others through their contributions. Jackie Autry is the director and chairwoman of the board of the Autry Museum, where she has made education its core mission. ``I firmly believe participation in community activities does evoke leadership,'' Autry said in her acceptance speech, adding her late husband would be proud today of the museum's educational achievement. ``This is his dream - his idea,'' she said. John Falk, vice chairman of the Congressional Award Foundation, who made the medal presentations, called for expansion of the program in California, where participation has been historically low. ``The Congressional Award is absolutely dedicated to expanding throughout California. Why not start here in the San Fernando Valley?'' he rallied the audience. ``The essence of this award is to encourage young people to give of themselves to their community and neighbors, and as a result, young people and their communities are better off.'' Both Ruebensaal and Savla said earning the Congressional Award has been a life-changing experience. ``The Congressional Award taught me there is more to life than one interest. It stretched me so I could literally do both hurdles and heights,'' said Ruebensaal, who was involved in track and field, lacrosse lacrosse (ləkrôs`), ball and goal game usually played outdoors by two teams of 10 players each on a field 60 to 70 yd (54.86 to 64.01 m) wide by 110 yd (100.58 m) long. Two goals face each other 80 yd (73. and soccer. The college freshman has also undertaken a one-week expedition through the Kern River Kern River A river rising in the Sierra Nevada of eastern California and flowing about 249 km (155 mi) south and southwest to the southern San Joaquin Valley. , learning to survive in the wilderness. Savla, who spent last summer touring with a band in Europe, aspires to become a doctor. She has volunteered at a hospital emergency room, played bingo with seniors and organized therapeutic recreation for disabled children. Taking all Advanced Placement classes this year, Savla admits ``her calendar is her life,'' but she said the Congressional Award is not why she is involved in her community. ``I am quite busy, but all I do I enjoy so much that I find time to do it all,'' she said. ``Community service is so important because you learn things, such as self-esteem and leadership. Things you learn can help you grow in your personal journey.'' --The Congressional Award - considered the highest recognition bestowed upon young Americans by the United States Congress - recognizes achievement, initiative and service in America's young people ages 14 to 23. To earn the award, participants must achieve personal goals in four areas: public service, personal development, physical fitness and expeditions/explorations. To find out more about the award, visit www.congressionalaward.org and (888) 80-AWARD. CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Jill Savla and Tyler Ruebensaal show their Congressional Awards after receiving them Friday at the Autry Museum of Western Heritage in Griffith Park. John McCoy/Staff Photographer |
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