NEWTON, Mass.- Jordan Bradley Inouye Helfand, a junior at the Commonwealth School, received the Congressional Award Bronze Medal, the highest honor for America’s youth.
To receive the award, Inouye Helfand completed over 494 hours in the areas of voluntary public service, personal development, physical fitness, and an overnight cultural exploration. Upon receiving the award, Jordan said, “It is a great honor, and has helped me understand the value and importance of the work I have done.”
Rep. Joseph Kennedy (D-Mass.) presented the award in his district office on May 11. He congratulated Inouye Helfand and stated, “You have demonstrated exemplary character and determination…Your dedication to over 360 hours of community service illustrates a certain empathy and capacity for others that is incredibly mature and admirable. The values you cultivated through earning this award will continue to support you on your way to a bright future.”
In attendance were Inouye Helfand’s family: mother Dr. Sharon Inouye of Hebrew SeniorLife/Harvard Medical School, father Dr. Stephen Helfand of Brown University, and brother Benjamin Helfand, a medical student at UMASS Medical. Inouye Helfand is the grandson of Lily Ann Inouye and the late Dr. Mitsuo Inouye of Culver City.
The Congressional Award was established by Congress in 1979 to recognize initiative, service and achievement in young people.