Allie Paschall, a resident of Paris, Tennessee, and a student in the Hollow Rock-Bruceton Special School District, has earned the Congressional Award Gold Medal, the highest level of achievement recognized by the United States Congress for youth.
The Congressional Award Gold Medal is awarded to fewer than 800 recipients nationwide and represents years of sustained commitment to voluntary public service, personal development, physical fitness, and exploration. In Tennessee, only 10 individuals received the Gold Medal last year, underscoring the exceptional nature of Paschall’s accomplishment.
To earn this distinction, Paschall completed:
- 552.5 hours of volunteer service
- 221 hours of personal development
- 234 hours of physical fitness
- Planned and executed a five-day, four-night exploration
All hours completed toward the Congressional Award must be entirely voluntary. Participants are not permitted to count any hours for which they receive school credit, financial compensation, or class-related recognition. Paschall completed all requirements beyond her academic coursework and school responsibilities.
Established by Congress in 1979, the Congressional Award program encourages initiative, achievement, and service among America’s youth. The Gold Medal is the program’s highest honor and represents sustained excellence and civic engagement.
Paschall’s achievement is a source of pride for the Hollow Rock-Bruceton Special School District and the Paris community and serves as an inspiration to other students to pursue meaningful goals beyond the classroom.
Paschall will attend the National Gold Medal Ceremony and Leadership Summit in June in Washington, D.C., where she will be formally recognized alongside other Gold Medal recipients from across the country.
