Salem College junior Madison Thomas has earned the Congressional Gold Award Medal—Congress’ highest award for young Americans. 

Participants in this program earn Bronze, Silver and Gold medals by setting and achieving goals in four program areas:  Personal Development, Physical Fitness, Volunteer Public Service and Expedition/Exploration.

Thomas was selected after satisfying goals in each of the four categories by achieving such accomplishments as completing more than 400 volunteer hours and planning and implementing a five-day tour of towns in North and South Carolina to research how the outsourcing of textile jobs has affected local economies. 

Thomas will attend a June ceremony on Capitol Hill, where members of Congress will present the awards to their constituents.