Home-schoolers receive Congressional Gold Medals By OSASU AIRHIAVBERE

By OSASU AIRHIAVBERE

Date published: 6/25/2003

When Stafford residents Jennifer Cartis and Kristen Rupert camped out in Shenandoah Valley, they weren't expecting continuous rain and for their tent to be surrounded by bears.

"We sat very still," Rupert said about keeping the bears away from the tent.

Best friends Cartis, 18, and Rupert, 17, will be two of the 155 nationwide recipients of the Congressional Award Gold Medal today. Their four-night camping trip fulfilled one of the four requirements for the gold medal. During the trip they were certified in first aid and CPR.

"It was a lot of work, but I'm glad I did it," Rupert said.

Cartis, who is presently on a missions trip to Mexico, could not be reached for comment and will not be present to receive her award today.

Rupert said that she and Cartis each did a minimum of 400 hours of community service, including road cleanup, tutoring, working with the Red Cross and American Heart Association, and teaching guitar lessons.

"It was so neat to help the community and meet a lot of people," Rupert said. "I still keep contact with many of them."

Erica Heyse, senior program manager of the Congressional Award said that the award is not "won," but instead the applicants are approved or disapproved.

"It is not competitive," she said.

She added that all candidates who applied were approved.

Both home-schooled, Cartis and Rupert were the only award recipients from Stafford and both will be attending James Madison University in the fall.

In addition to their venture activity and community service, Cartis and Rupert each had to complete a minimum of 200 hours of physical fitness and at least 200 hours of personal development.

Rupert said she and Cartis did most of the activities together.

The ceremony, hosted by George Stephanopoulos of ABC's "This Week" takes place in the Russell Senate Office Building at 10 a.m. The joint leadership of Congress will preside over the event.

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Date published: 6/25/2003