[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 204 (Tuesday, December 19, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2414]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO LYNETTE FREEMAN

                                 ______


                        HON. WILLIAM (BILL) CLAY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 19, 1995

  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, We often read stories about young people 
across America who possess remarkable talent and ability. Most 
impressive are the stories we read about school students who have set 
goals for themselves, and exhibit the determination to reach those 
goals. I rise today to salute a young student who is one such 
individual.
  Lynette Freeman is 12 years old, and a seventh grade student at 
Andrews School in Willoughby OH. Lynette is president of her seventh 
grade class and a member of the Environmental Club, the Literary 
Magazine, the Language Club and the Riding Club. These extracurricular 
activities are in addition to a challenging academic schedule, which 
includes life science, honors algebra, French and Spanish. For Lynette, 
however, her first love is the theater. She started acting at the age 
of three. Her stage credits include Annie Get Your Gun, Penelope, Pride 
of the Pickle Factory, as well as productions at Cuyahoga Community 
College.
  Mr. Speaker, the Plain Dealer newspaper in Cleveland, OH, recently 
profiled Lynette Freeman. The paper examined how this young student has 
developed effective time-management skills that enable her to succeed 
academically and socially. In whatever field she pursues, it is obvious 
that this young woman is headed for success. I take pride in saluting 
Lynette Freeman. I am also pleased to share the Plain Dealer profile 
with my colleagues. The article is certainly worthwhile reading.

                 [From the Plain Dealer, Dec. 11, 1995]

    Seventh Grader Ahead of Her Time at Juggling School, Activities

                     (By April McClellan-Copeland)

       Willoughby.--Twelve-year-old Lynnette Freeman talks about 
     time management as if she is the CEO of a major corporation.
       That's because it takes the time-management skills of an 
     executive for the Andrews School seventh-grader to fit all of 
     her extracurricular activities into a 24-hour day.
       Lynnette is president of the seventh-grade class and a 
     member of the Environmental Club, the literary magazine, the 
     Language Club and the Riding Club.
       She plays tennis with her mother, Ruth; takes piano, 
     singing and ballet lessons; and even makes time to write 
     poetry and short stories in a journal.
       Lynnette, an East Cleveland resident, also reserves enough 
     time to take part in her favorite hobby: performing in plays 
     at the East Cleveland Theater, where she has studied for 
     several years.
       And she fits all of these activities around a challenging 
     academic schedule, which includes life science, honors 
     algebra, French and Spanish.
       ``I do some of my school work ahead of time,'' said 
     Lynnette, as she used her lunch period to talk to a visitor 
     and munch on onion rings and a cheeseburger in the Andrews 
     cafeteria. ``I do as much in class as I can and in study 
     hall. I manage my time. All of my activities are like 
     studying for school. This is all a commitment I make.''
       Lynnette said her parents, Ruth and Linton, don't push her 
     to participate in so many activities. She said these are all 
     things in which she has shown a natural interest.
       But when the going gets tough, as sometimes it does when 
     she has to finish an English paper at 1 a.m., Lynnette's 
     parents give her the pep talks that keep her motivated.
       ``This is all my choice,'' Lynnette said. ``Sometimes I 
     want to quit. But my parents say, `You made this commitment.' 
     They give me this extra boost.''
       Lynnette grins as she talks about how ballet makes her feel 
     strong and about her trip to Europe next summer through the 
     U.S. government-sponsored People Program student 
     ambassadorship.
       But mention the theater and a smile spreads across 
     Lynnette's face so broad it makes her squint.
       ``My favorite activity is when I'm acting in the theater,'' 
     Lynnette said. ``I get to be someone else and I get to go 
     into character. I like drama and theater because of opening 
     night. I get to put on a costume and makeup.''
       Lynnette most recently played the character Jessie, the 
     sister of Annie Oakley, in a production of ``Annie Get Your 
     Gun'' at the East Cleveland Theater.
       She talks incessantly about her stage successes, as well as 
     some of her blunders. The experiences are funny to her, but 
     they remind her that drama is hard work.
       But perhaps her fondest memories are reserved for humorous 
     scenes like the one in the East Cleveland Theater production 
     ``Penelope, Pride of the Pickle Factory.''
       Reciting some of the tongue-twisting alliterations in her 
     favorite scene in ``Penelope'' reduced her maturity to a 
     gaggle of giggles only a child could appreciate.
       ``In the first scene, we are talking about what we had for 
     lunch,'' Lynnette said, pausing to let out a hearty laugh. 
     ``I had to say I had a pickled peanut butter sandwich.''
       Lynnette started acting when she was 3 years old. She has 
     also performed in productions at Cuyahoga Community College.
       ``My parents would take me to see different plays. I'd say, 
     `Gee, I want to have that lead part,' As I cleaned my room, I 
     would be acting like I was in a play. My cat was my 
     audience.''

                          ____________________