[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 99 (Friday, June 16, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1269]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E1269]]


   D.C. PUBLIC SCHOOL GUIDES OUTSTANDING STUDENT TO HONORS IN MATH, 
             UNIVERSITY STUDIES WHILE STILL IN JUNIOR HIGH

                                 ______


                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 15, 1995

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, on June 6, I personally commended an 
exceptional 13-year-old boy who has brought honor to himself, his 
family, and the D.C. public schools through his outstanding academic 
accomplishments. Gilbert Wang was the third highest scorer in the 
District in the recent MathCounts competition, and has also triumphed 
in the citywide Geography Bee, as well as excelling in all his other 
subjects.
  Gilbert Wang is an eighth grader at Thomas Jefferson Junior High 
School. He completed his first algebra class in the fifth grade (making 
a special trip to Jefferson for the course) with a perfect score of 100 
percent. In the sixth grade, he traveled to Jefferson to study 
geometry, which he also completed with a 100 percent score. Continuing 
his advanced coursework in mathematics, Gilbert took trigonometry with 
ninth-graders while he was in the seventh grade. He recently completed 
a pre-calculus course at George Washington University with a grade of 
``A''. Next year Gilbert will attend School Without Walls, an 
innovative public high school where students pursue advanced placement 
curricula, and attend many special courses off-campus and universities. 
Gilbert will probably graduate from high school in the tenth grade.
  The D.C. public schools recognized Gilbert's talents early on, and 
offered him the opportunity to excel that he has so wonderfully used. 
Jefferson principal Vera White has been one of Gilbert's strongest 
supporters. The D.C. public schools have nurtured Gilbert's talents, 
while also keeping in mind that although he may be a prodigy, Gilbert 
is nevertheless a 13-year-old boy with special needs. While Jefferson 
has assisted Gilbert in obtaining scholarships for his advanced 
university coursework, the school, and Gilbert's parents, have helped 
him maintain an environment where he can learn and socialize with his 
peers as well. This outstanding child has thrived in the D.C. public 
school system. The schools have provided him with opportunities to make 
the most of his extraordinary abilities, and with innovative education 
options have offered him a chance to explore and grow outside of the 
traditional educational structure, but within the public school system.
  Gilbert Wang is truly exceptional, and he has been exceptionally well 
served by the D.C. public school system. I offered by most heartfelt 
congratulations and support to Gilbert and his parents, and to 
Jefferson Junior High School, and its principal and teachers.

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