[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 46 (Friday, March 29, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E501-E502]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO BENICIA MIDDLE SCHOOL

                                 ______


                           HON. GEORGE MILLER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 29, 1996

  Mr. MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
Benicia Middle School, in Benicia, CA, for receiving the National Blue 
Ribbon Award for excellence from the U.S. Department of Education. This 
is the highest honor that a public or private school can receive in 
recognition of academic excellence and attaining national educational 
goals. Benicia Middle School was chosen from among 500 nominations 
nationwide, and is only one of 87 middle schools honored with this 
prestigious award.
  I would like to commend the hard work and dedication of the parents, 
teachers, and students of Benicia Middle School and the Benicia 
community for their efforts in attaining national, State, and local 
educational goals. Benicia Middle School started on the blue ribbon 
path in 1994 when the California Department of Education recognized 
them as a California distinguished school. This marked them as the top 
2 percent of all middle schools and high schools in the State of 
California. In 1995, the California Department of Education nominated 
Benicia Middle School for the National Blue Ribbon School Award. The 
school underwent an intensive application and interview process before 
being selected for this honor.
  Benicia Middle School can now proudly say that they are among the 
best in the Nation. They can attribute their success to team effort and 
a commitment to excellence that they have demonstrated in their 
academic program. They educate the students at Benicia Middle School as 
strong leaders in a safe, supportive, and drug-free environment. I am 
proud of the commitment of the Benicia community toward preparing our 
youth for the future.
  I would like to share with my colleagues the attached article from 
the Solano Times, Thursday, February 22, 1996: ``School Is a Blue 
Ribbon Winner.''

                 [From the Solano Times, Feb. 22, 1996]

                     School Is a Blue Ribbon Winner

                       (By Catherine D. Jacobson)

       Benicia Middle School is one of the best schools in the 
     nation.
       Recently named a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. 
     Department of Education, the school received the announcement 
     17 months after the initial application.
       ``We are honored and we are proud,'' said Carole Hiltman, 
     Benicia Middle School principal. ``To earn this kind of 
     prestigious recognition from a national review is exciting 
     and validates our hard work. These schools become models.''
       The blue ribbon status recognizes both public and private 
     schools based on their effectiveness in meeting national 
     education goals and standards of quality.
       Each school's success in furthering intellectual, social, 
     physical and moral growth of all students, including those 
     with disabilities, is emphasized.
       Through a 30-page application and a site visit, Benicia 
     Middle School administrators presented evidence to Department 
     of Education officials that students are developing a solid 
     foundation of reading, writing and math, in addition to 
     reasoning and problem-solving skills.
       Hiltman said hundreds of hours were spent in researching, 
     writing and assembling the application, submitted in 
     September 1994.
       ``This has been a long effort, and it's nice to see the 
     uplifting spirit,'' she said, noting the honor is especially 
     rewarding given the disruption of the campus during major 
     construction renovations.
       Benicia Middle School will be rewarded with a bronzed 
     plaque to be placed at the campus. It is one of 87 middle 
     schools across the nation to receive the prestigious honor 
     this year.
       The road to the National Blue Ribbon award started in 1994, 
     with Benicia Middle School being named a California 
     Distinguished School. State officials then nominated the 
     school for the national award.

[[Page E502]]

       Benicia Middle School was one of 27 middle schools and 17 
     high schools nominated in the state, representing the upper 2 
     percent of all junior and senior high schools in California.
       Jim Krouscas, a physical education teacher and president of 
     the site council at the middle school, attributed the blue 
     ribbon award to the community and parental support, students, 
     and, particularly, veteran teachers.
       ``This award started 20 years ago when these teachers 
     decided Benicia Middle School would be a school of excellence 
     and not mediocrity,'' said Krouscas.
       Superintendent Annette O'Connor said, ``Everyone 
     contributed to making Benicia Middle School the fine 
     institution of learning it has become.
       ``I am proud of the whole staff and pleased to show the 
     community that we are recognized as exemplary wherever we are 
     reviewed.''
       Mayrene Bates of the Solano County Office of Education said 
     the blue ribbon selection is due to the people behind the 
     scenes.
       ``Things like this don't just happen,'' she said.
       Hiltman hopes the honor leads to an even stronger support 
     for the school, through financial or technical assistance.
       ``We'd like to attract a large corporation to form a blue 
     ribbon partnership to support the school,'' she said.
       The entire middle school staff participated in the 
     application, although principal writers were Hiltman, Linda 
     Cole, district director of instructional services, and 
     teachers Russell Ho, Sherry Knight, Kathy Maloney, Rami Muth, 
     Greg Reed, and Kathy Wright.

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