Congress recognizes sophomores

Melissa Gregory and Katilyn Chana are only sophomores, but they have already been nationally recognized by Congress.

Both students received the Congressional Award, along with 252 others,  aged 14 through 23 from around the country.

The Congressional Award, which was first signed into law by Jimmy Carter in 1979, honors high school and college students who commit an extraordinary amount of hours to areas such as public service, personal development, physical fitness and exploration.

Gregory volunteered nearly 1,000 hours at her parent's assisted living home, the Salvation Army, and Relay for Life. She also volunteered by teaching dance classes at a local studio.

"I was in 8th grade when I started volunteering," Gregory said. "As I got into high school, I realized I wanted to share my passion with dance with others. It kind of all started there."

Gregory, who began taking dance classes at age 4, started the first chapter of the National Society for Dance Arts in Seminole County at her high school.

"My school was mainly focused on a lot of sports and academic clubs, so I wanted to bring awareness to the dance arts," Gregory said.

Gregory's sister won the award in 2008, inspired her to volunteer as well and ultimately drove her to achieve the award.

Today, Gregory still volunteers at her parents' assisted living home, with a volunteer position at Hospice waiting for her next month. She plans on using her Microbiology and Molecular Biology major to become a nurse.

Chana also dedicated a lot of her time to volunteering while in high school, which has resulted in her name becoming prominent in the public-service world.

What began as a school project has now evolved into a national movement, all driven by Chana's favorite quote, "It only takes one person to move a mountain, and then others will follow."

"I'm a big quote person. I literally have a big book of quotes," Chana said.

Chana was in contact with the woman who gave her the quote,  Linda Bremner.

Bremner's organization, Love Letters, delivered hand-made cards to children with life-threatening illnesses in hospitals all around the world.

Bremner passed on when Chana was in high school. In hopes of keeping Bremner's organization alive, Chana started   Love Letters: Random Cards of Kindness, Inc.  

The company has grown to include 16 chapters across the nation, and has delivered over 70,500 cards to children in the United States, Africa, Australia and even Pakistan.

"I love things that are homemade. When people take that extra time and energy and hard work and make something that's tangible, I think it just gives you a feeling of warmth and friendship."

Chana, along with receiving the Congressional Award, was also a 2010 Olympic torchbearer. She plans on using her Radio/TV Journalism Major as an outlet to promote her organization.

"Everyone has a story to share, and as a journalist, I'd love to be able to learn people's stories while also promoting my own."

The Congressional Award is an "in-progress" competition against preset goals made by the participant. The award does not honor past achievements, only current goal fulfillments. To learn more about the Congressional Award, visit www.congressionalaward.org.