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November 12, 1999/3 Kislev 5760, Vol. 52, No.11
Teen rewarded for volunteerism
TAMI BICKLEY
Staff Writer
Before Sarah Reznik made a difference in other people's lives, she longed to spend her free time just being a teen.
But when she saw what an impact her dedication could make, her outlook changed.
"After I started getting into volunteering, and I saw all these kids enjoy it, it was nice," she recalls. "I thought,
'I did that, and it was amazing.' "
Sarah, who is 14 and a sophomore attending Horizon High School in Paradise Valley, is a bronze
Congressional Award winner and is finishing up required duties necessary to receive a silver Congressional Award.
The Congressional Award, established by the U.S. Congress, promotes personal excellence and
achievement among people ages 14-23. Bronze, silver and gold medals are awarded. Each level has various requirements,
with gold being the most challenging. The medals are awarded by a recipient's U.S. senator or congressional
representative.
Sarah was required to complete 100 hours of community service; 50 hours of personal development; 50 hours
of physical fitness; and an overnight expedition in order to receive the bronze medal. To fill her community
service requirement, she volunteered at a community science fair for 200 elementary students throughout the Valley
in 1998.
"Once I was done and it was all cleaned up, I was glad these 200 kids enjoyed it," says Sarah.
For her overnight expedition, Sarah arranged a camping trip for herself, her family and some friends at
Bartlett Lake.
Her personal development requirement was filled when she participated in Civil Air Patrol this year, in which
she was a "student" in Squadron 310 in Scottsdale. Wearing a uniform, she marched around, learned about
airplanes, practiced drills, and experienced advancing in rank, as she was promoted to Honor Cadet.
To fill requirements for a silver Congressional Award, Sarah has made a number of teddy bears by hand
for children at Scottsdale Healthcare. She also volunteers as a junior Girl Scout assistant with special projects.
Her passion for volunteer work runs in her family. Born and raised in Scottsdale, Sarah is the second of
five children. Her older sister, Jessica, 16, has done volunteer work for the city of Scottsdale in the city's planning
office. Jessica, like Sarah, is also working toward her
silver Congressional Award. Sarah's younger brother,
Benjamin, 13, has volunteered for the Paradise Valley Parks and Recreation programs, is also in the Civil Air
Patrol program and is working toward his bronze Congressional Award. Sarah's other younger brothers are
Jonathan, 12, and Nicholas, 11. Her mother, Sharon, is a homemaker, and her father, Steven, manages a pawn shop
in downtown Phoenix.
Sarah's family shares Shabbat dinner each Friday and recites prayers at their home. Her parents discuss with
her on Yom Kippur what she "is sorry for," and how she can be a better person in the new Jewish year, which
often includes the mitzvah (good deed) of volunteering her time, she says.
When she is not volunteering, Sarah plays drums in a punk rock band with her friends. She is the only
female member of the band, which practices at Sarah's house at least four days a week. Although they haven't
performed a concert yet, Sarah hopes to build a career around music.
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