CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — One senior at Centennial High School is set to accept a prestigious award.

Nailah Mansury is receiving the Congressional Award Gold Medal this summer during a ceremony in Washington D.C. The United States Congress introduced the award in 1979, and Mansury is the first recipient of this award in Champaign.

The award is given to young people who display initiative, service and achievement. This program is open to all youth between the ages of 14 and 24 throughout the country.

Participants in the program are able to earn bronze, silver and gold certificates and medals. These awards are distributed to those who achieve goals in program sections that focus on personal development, physical fitness and community service.