Notre Dame Prep junior Oana Danciu, center, with her counselor, Justine Sciriha, and NDP principal, Fr. Joe Hindelang, s.m. Danciu is the first student in NDP history to receive the Congressional Award. Sciriha encourages other Notre Dame students to check out the program.U.S. Representative Mike Rogers, R-8th, congratulated Notre Dame Prep junior Oana Danciu recently for receiving the Congressional Award Bronze Medal, which is given annually to young people who have set certain personal goals and then actually achieved them through four main components: public service, personal development, physical fitness and exploration/expedition.
U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers represents Michigan’s 8th congressional district.
It is the first time a student from Notre Dame Prep has received this honor.
"I was excited and very pleased," Danciu said after learning of the award. "It was a long process and a lot of work that began when I was a freshman, so it's great to see closure finally."
In earning her Congressional Medal, Danciu, who also is a member of Notre Dame's robotics team, spent over 100 hours volunteering at her local public library. Plus, to earn her personal-development goal, Oana wanted to learn more about the computer aspect of a business and did so by volunteering with a tutoring program where she handled most of the tech-based needs of the program. For her physical fitness goal, Danciu improved her tennis skills—she now plays at an advanced level and earned a varsity letter for her efforts. Finally, for her expedition, she organized and went on a 17-day, 16-night trip to Spain to learn about that country's history and culture.
NDP students interested in pursuing the Congressional Award should see counselor Justine Sciriha for more information.
Follow Notre Dame at @NDPMA.
About the Congressional Award
The Congressional Award is the United States Congress' award for young Americans. It is non-partisan, voluntary, and non-competitive. The program is open to all 14- to 23-year-olds. Participants earn Bronze, Silver and Gold Congressional Award Certificates and Bronze, Silver and Gold Congressional Award Medals. Each level involves setting goals in four program areas; Volunteer Public Service, Personal Development, Physical Fitness, and Expedition/Exploration. Earning the Award is a fun and interesting way to get more involved in something you already enjoy or something you'd like to try for the first time. You move at your own pace – on your own or with your friends. This is not an award for past accomplishments. Instead, you are honored for achieving your own challenging goals.
About Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy
Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. The school's upper division enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame's middle and lower divisions enroll students in jr. kindergarten through grade eight. All three divisions are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." NDPMA is conducted by the Marist Fathers and Brothers and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School and Marist Academy, visit the school's home page at www.ndpma.org.