Punahou School Senior Jessica Lee Awarded Congressional Award Gold Medal
Punahou School senior Jessica Lee has been awarded the Congressional Award Gold Medal, presented by Congressman Ed Case. This prestigious award recognizes young people who demonstrate significant achievements across four program areas: voluntary public service, personal development, physical fitness, and an expedition or exploration. Lee dedicated 420 hours to volunteer service, excelled in varsity golf, pursued her passion for the violin, and undertook a five-day trip to Boston. Her volunteer work in healthcare was inspired by her grandfather's experience with misinformation regarding his lung cancer diagnosis in Korea. This led her to volunteer at St. Francis Healthcare System of Hawai'i, where she observed language barriers affecting patient care. In response, Lee founded the nonprofit Cancer Health Awareness & Mindfulness Program (CHAMP) to promote health literacy through workshops on cancer risks, prevention, and local resources. She also co-leads 'Caring of the Elderly' at Punahou School, serving kūp...