Cadet 2nd Lt. Lucian Myers talks with U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt before receiving the Congressional Award in Silver.
(Photo by 2nd Lt. Jamie Myers)
2nd Lt. Jamie Myers
Col. Travis Hoover Composite Squadron
Missouri Wing
MISSOURI – Cadet 2nd Lt. Lucian Myers, cadet executive officer for the Col. Travis Hoover Composite Squadron, recently received the Congressional Award in Silver from U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt in Joplin.
Myers completed requirements in four categories to earn the award. He compiled more 100 hours of personal development, which included participating in a speech club and then a national speech conference in Memphis, Tenn.
He achieved the required physical fitness hours by being on a home school track team and competing in the high jump and long jump.
The silver level requires at least 200 hours of volunteer service, and at present Myers has contributed almost 500 hours at Stained Glass Theatre of Joplin. He has served on the technical and stage crews and acted in numerous plays.
For the award’s expedition requirement the cadet spent several weeks on his uncle’s farm in north central Missouri shoeing and breaking horses, running farm machinery and equipment and enjoying life on a working farm and ranch.
He is now just a few physical fitness hours short of achieving the gold medal and is hoping to complete that by next May.
Setting goals and achieving them is a main focus of the Congressional Award. Myers’ participation in Civil Air Patrol has contributed to his ability to meet expectations and move forward in pursuit of achievements.
He is a recent recipient of CAP’s Gen. Billy Mitchell Award, having become a cadet officer June 9.
“I would encourage any interested CAP cadet to set a goal of earning the Congressional Award. It is not difficult to achieve, and in the process you can learn about many interesting things,” Myers said.
The Congressional Award, the U.S. Congress' award for young Americans, was established in 1979 by President Jimmy Carter to recognize initiative, achievement and service in young people. Nonpartisan, voluntary, and noncompetitive, the program 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.
- Expedition/Exploration.
This is not an award for past accomplishments. Instead, participants are honored for achieving their own challenging goals.