WHITLEY COUNTY, Ky. (WYMT) - A Whitley County High School student is getting national recognition for service work.

Kori Sears earned the Congressional Award Bronze Medal.

Wednesday morning, Congressman Hal Rogers (R-Kentucky) presented it to her at school.

"She exemplifies young people's public service instincts," said Congressman Rogers.

Junior Kori Sears is very active outside the classroom. In just six months, she did 100 hours of public service. She helped children learn to read and use computers in an afternoon program. She also served as a Camp UNITE counselor.
Congressman Rogers wanted the whole community to know her contributions.

"I didn't expect someone of that importance to come down and take recognition of such a small town," said Sears.

Sears is getting more than just local attention. Congressman Rogers awarded her the Congressional Award Bronze Medal for her public service as a student.

"I'm thrilled for Kori. She's a fine young lady," said Congressman Rogers.

"It's a real honor. It's something I worked really hard for and it feels good to achieve this goal and get this recognition," said Sears.

To get the national medal, Sears also had to complete programs in physical fitness, personal development, and go on an expedition. To complete those tasks, she improved tennis skills, learned to draw and paint with acrylics, and took an overnight horseback riding trip in the Big South Fork National Park in Tennessee.

"My motivation for achieving this award was scholarship money," said Sears.

She hopes the medal will help her get scholarship money when she graduates from high school.

The Congressional Award is open to all young people ages 14 to 23. To get a medal, students must complete all the requirements.

Eastern Kentucky also has a recent gold medal winner. Don Combs of Pikeville received it earlier this year.