[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 109 (Friday, June 30, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1384]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  EIGHTH ANNUAL STAR AWARDS RECOGNIZE ACHIEVEMENTS BY NEW JERSEY YOUTH

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                         HON. ROBERT E. ANDREWS

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 30, 1995
  Mr. ANDREWS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
accomplishments of a group of high school students who have succeeded 
in their studies, academic and vocational, despite the barriers which 
they faced. On June 1, 1995 in Atlantic City, a group of 34 outstanding 
youths from the State of New Jersey were honored and awarded for their 
perseverance at the Student Training Achievement Recognition [STAR] 
Awards.
  The STAR Awards, created by the Garden State Employment and Training 
Association, and sponsored by members of the business community, aim to 
increase awareness of education and its relationship to employment. The 
awards are given to youth who are determined to be at risk and who, 
despite the most difficult of circumstances, either completed their 
high school education, or who dropped out of high school but completed 
a training program and obtained a job.
  Some of the obstacles which these youths overcame include physical or 
sexual abuse and neglect; family trauma such as divorce, unemployment, 
or death; school-age single parenthood; physical and emotional 
handicaps; and contact with the judicial system which led to conviction 
or designation as a delinquent. Many of the youngsters honored with 
these awards overcame more than one of these barriers.
  Each Private Industry Council in New Jersey participated in the 
nomination process, designating a young member of the local community 
who fought against seemingly insurmountable odds and emerged a winner. 
The following individuals are the recipients of the 1995 STAR Awards:
  Chad B. Jenkins; Wanda Lopez; S. Jonathan Deauna; Ramon Mejia; 
Jessica M. Carter; Mark Anthony Logan; Gerald F. Wynkoop, Jr.; William 
Alcazar; Michael McDonald; Olga Sierra; Paris Armwood; Tywanda 
Whitefield; Brenda Carpenter; Carla Owens; Robyn Murgas; Nicole 
Richardson; Lakiesha Stokes; Barbara Gomez; Tonia Singletary; Tyese 
Nichols; Marilyn Sanchez; Ivelys Bruno; Kisha Ann Franklin; Sujeil 
Rosa; Morris E. Lawson; Madelyn Ramos; Gregory Wertz; Linda Kulick; 
Lisa Beckett; Sean Devaney; Yanette Gonzalez; Jessica Corchado; Monique 
Gallman; and Jason Kinney.
  The recipients of the STAR Awards are an inspiration to millions of 
students in similar circumstances throughout the country. They are a 
shining example of youth who became responsible members of the 
community despite circumstances which might have prevented them from 
doing so. I salute these extraordinary young men and women.


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