En route to earning the 2010 Congressional Award Gold Medal, Gabrielle Tan '12 learned how to install hardwood floors, lead a 2008 presidential voter registration campaign at her high school, sharpen her swimming stroke and improve her singing and acting with lessons.

Tan needed four years to earn the award, which is open to youth ages 14-23 in gold, silver and bronze categories and demands 400 hours of voluntary public service, 200 hours of personal development and 200 hours of physical fitness across a variety of settings and activities. Established in 1979, it is the only award for youth legislated by the U.S. Congress.

On June 23, Tan joined 141 other medalists (out of 252 total awardees) in the Cannon House Office Building in Washington, D.C., for a ceremony, where she and her high school friend John Hager spoke about their experiences in the program.

"It was nerve-wracking to be up there in front of a roomful of Congressmen, award winners and their families, but also a great honor to be chosen," said Tan, a human development major in the College of Human Ecology.

Tan described how she helped refurbish rundown homes near her hometown of Johnstown, Ohio, as part of community project and how, as a competitive swimmer from age eight, she sought out swim coaches across the country for tips on refining her form. Following her freshman year at Cornell, Tan spent four days on her own exploring New York City, where she soaked up the local culture, to fulfill the program's expedition requirement.

"Earning this award meant much more to me than just adding up the hours of service and crossing them off a checklist," Tan said. "It made me a more well-rounded person and got me to pursue things I would have never been exposed to otherwise."

Ted Boscia is assistant director of communications for the College of Human Ecology.