Cor Jesu Senior Theresa Jabouri Awarded Congressional Gold Medal

Senior Theresa Jabouri earned the highest award that Congress bestows upon young Americas ages 14-23, the Congressional Award Gold Medal. She received the medal from U.S. Congresswoman and Cor Jesu alumna Ann Wagner at the Missouri State Ceremony on April 27 in Jefferson City. Her Gold Medal accomplishment will be recognized nationally at a presentation in Washington, D.C., on June 19, 2013.

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, and Expedition/Exploration. 

Theresa’s Gold Medal goals were met through volunteer public service (400 hours), which was spent collecting and delivering nearly 50,000 new/gently used books to children in low-socioeconomic areas of St. Louis to help break the cycle of poverty and create opportunities for the children.  Her personal development goals (200 hours) were met by attending St. Louis University’s Summer A.I.M.S. (Adventures in Medicine and Science) programs and Washington University’s Mini-Medical School I, II and III to learn more about the medical field. She also shadowed for 50 hours at local hospitals and was president of Cor Jesu’s medical club. The goals that Theresa established for physical fitness (200 hours) were met by achieving her desired 5K time during her senior-year cross-country season.  Through her expedition/exploration goal, which requires participants to leave their comfort zone by going out on an expedition that they have planned without their parents or any other close family relative, involved Theresa traveling to Germany and surrounding countries to fully immerse herself in their culture.

“Life offers many opportunities if you pay attention and take advantage of them,” Theresa stated. “Thanks to the Congressional Award experience, I have made this part of my daily life experience. It has made me a better, well-rounded person.”

Cor Jesu President Sr. Barbara Thomas, ASCJ served as Theresa’s project advisor. “I have been advising Theresa as she moved through the many requirements for the Congressional medal,” said Sr. Barbara, “and am very proud of her achievement as she receives the gold medal. Her service is so impressive. It has been a privilege to support such a generous young women with such strong leadership skills, who seeks to reach out to help others.”