Gianna Francis, a senior at Ladue Horton Watkins High School recently earned the highest achievement for youth given by the United States Congress, the Congressional Award Gold Medal.
The award honors young people for setting goals, creating an action plan, and meeting the challenge.
Francis was required to set goals in four program areas: voluntary public service, personal development, physical fitness, and expedition/exploration.
To earn a Gold Medal, over the past three years she completed 400 hours of voluntary public service, 200 hours of personal development, 200 hours of fitness, and a five-day trip focused on expedition and exploration.
Francis will be recognized at the annual Gold Medal Summit this summer.
Gwen Hamer of St. Louis Arc receives
prestigious ANCOR service award
Gwen Hamer, a direct support professional/parent educator at St. Louis, has been named recipient of the 2024 Missouri DSP of the Year Award by ANCOR, a leading voice in Washington for community-based disability services providers.
Recognition honors professionals exemplifying workforce that empowers community inclusion for people with intellectual, developmental disabilities.
Hamer joined 54 other honorees who were honored April 10, 2024, during the ANCOR Connect ’24 annual conference in Santa Fe, N.M.
“It’s hard to put into words how proud St. Louis Arc is of Gwen,” said Mark A. Keeley, president and CEO.
“We recognize that Gwen’s dedication to parents and their children is powering true community inclusion for the people we support.”
