News Home

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., today presented brothers Ben and William Casstevens of Winston-Salem with Congressional Award Medals for their commitment to bettering themselves and giving back to the communities in which they live.

The Congressional Award is the United States Congress’ award for young Americans who set personally challenging goals and achieve them. It is non-partisan, voluntary and non-competitive. The program is open to all 14- to 23-year-olds. There are six levels of the award. Participants can 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. Along the way participants serve their communities and learn qualities such as responsibility, citizenship and the ability to plan and organize.

Ben Casstevens, who attends R.J. Reynolds High School, earned the Silver Congressional Medal by volunteering more than 200 hours delivering Meals on Wheels, packing weekend and holiday meals for students, serving food to the homeless and coaching baseball.

William Casstevens, who attends R.J. Reynolds High School, earned the Bronze Congressional Medal by volunteering nearly 150 hours with a local public elementary school and his church’s outreach ministry. As a school volunteer, he aided teachers’ efforts, organized a box top collection program and managed events during Teacher Appreciation Week. Through his volunteer work at his church, William ensured local homeless and impoverished citizens had a hot meal.

For more information about the Congressional Award, please visit http://congressionalaward.org/.

###
U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx is currently serving her fifth term as the representative of North Carolina’s 5th Congressional District and is the elected Republican Conference Secretary. Dr. Foxx is the chair of the House Education and the Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and serves as Vice Chair of the House Rules Committee.