The Medallion Ceremony

The highlight of National Recognition Week is the Medallion Ceremony. In this event, each Presidential Scholar is presented with a gold medallion commemorating their achievement, and are then congratulated by the President of the United States.

This year's ceremony was held at Georgetown University on June 25. It was definitely an unforgettable event, especially for those who had never seen the president in person before. All of the requisite clichés were in place--Secret Service agents, bomb sniffing dogs, metal detectors, the Washington press corps. . . Adding to the excitement was the ceremony's location, in a small auditorium in a picturesque Georgetown hall. Only an estimated 400 people were present at the event, including scholars, teachers, parents and media.

Before the actual medallion ceremony, President Clinton gave a brief address on his domestic agenda. As this was his first speech on returning from a conference in Europe, many major news agencies were present (although the event did not receive the attention of a press conference held later that day).

Most of the fellow scholars I talked to agreed that the presentation of the medallions went by very quickly. However, I've included some pictures capturing the event. Thanks to my principal, Mr. Brad Preheim, for the photos.

This is the hall at Georgetown University where the Medallion Ceremony was held. My dad said the building looks rather Gothic. My boss said that scenes from The Exorcist II were shot there. All I know is that it was nice and air conditioned--it was hot that day!

Here's a nice picture of President Bill Clinton taken by my principal, Mr. Brad Preheim.

Another nice picture of President Clinton. I noticed that whenever he gestured, the press loved it. Anyone who attended the ceremony remembers the incessant clicking of camera shutters at moments like this.

Hmmm. . .Those two look familiar. Here I am receiving congratulations from President Clinton. I consider it my own "Forrest Gump" moment. Most people are relieved to know that I resisted the temptation of repeating any lines of dialogue from the movie. For those who are wondering (and most people ask), the object around his neck is a shell necklace given to him by one of the other Presidential Scholars.

The Washington Press Corps!!!