Carmen Ross
Baylor senior Carmen Ross was awarded the Congressional Award Gold Medal on Friday in Washington, D.C.
It's the highest award presented by the United States Congress to honor American youths age 14-23, the only other award given by Congress is the Medal of Honor.
Carmen registered for the award as a Middle School student and worked toward the achievement for nearly four years. Participants earn medals and certificates by setting and reaching goals in four program areas: volunteer public service, personal development, physical fitness, and expedition/exploration.
While not a member of Baylor’s community service program, Carmen achieved her public service goal by volunteering her time to tutor Baylor Middle School students, coaching UPWARD basketball at her church, and working with LaPaz Chattanooga.
She met her personal development goal by improving her musical abilities on the guitar, and reached her physical fitness goal by clearing 9’ 6” in the pole vault as a member of the Baylor track team.
To meet the expedition/exploration goal, she planned a trip to St. Simon’s Island, Ga. for her friends and family and, not surprisingly, added an educational/service element to the trip as the group helped with beach cleanup and aided a local agency with management of the island’s sea turtle population.
She is the daughter of Gordon and Susan Harrelson Ross '91.