Outside the comfort zone

For Joshua Heisey, the gold Congressional Award medal he received Tuesday represents his ability to be organized, commit to a daunting task and see it through to the end.

"I am so thankful that I have been able to experience the world outside of my home education because it really helped me to look at things from a different perspective," the Sunrise Prep Academy homeschool graduate said Wednesday. "Without my time volunteering and doing things that made me uncomfortable, I wouldn't have met so many wonderful people and wouldn't have had so many awesome adventures."

The Congressional Award program requires youths to participate in community service, personal development, exploration and fitness activities. Joshua's adventures on the road to a medal consisted of more than 400 hours of volunteering at Life Care Centers of America and with Specialized Needs Recreation. He also snowboarded and was active with karate and jiu jitusu.

To complete the expedition portion, he planned three different trips, including one through the International Selkirk Loop.

"I was really pushed to be as organized as possible and had to step out of my comfort zone to talk to people for reservations and to ask questions," said Heisey, 18, of Coeur d'Alene. "It's scary for many young people to have to go and talk to people and make reservations, so I was proud of myself when I was able to make my way through and pull off a super cool trip."

Heisey and his cousin, Ellie, 16, were two of six local youths who received medals for their Congressional Award work.

"Without the Congressional Award program I never would have discovered Specialized Needs Recreation, and that is a huge part of my life now," said Ellie, an incoming junior at Classical Christian Academy.

Joshua was one of two recipients to earn the gold award. He said the most important piece of his experience was stepping out of his comfort zone.

"I have met so many unique and amazing individuals in my time volunteering ... and I am so thankful for those experiences," he said. "Achieving the Congressional Award really pushed me to get to know people and has taught me how to enjoy myself, no matter where I am."

Silas Kidd, 17, of Post Falls, earned the bronze medal and is considering having it framed.

"It's cool to have a medal that actually shows what you did," Kidd said. "You can show people and explain. That's pretty fun. It's definitely a good experience."

Silas spent many of his volunteer hours at the Kroc Center serving as an aide and mentor for younger kids.

"It's a really great way to be a part of your community and be a benefactor to your local city," he said. "The best part about it for me was breaking out of my shell a little bit and getting to work with other people."

Info: www.congressionalaward.org