[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 82 (Thursday, June 6, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1020-E1021]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           THE MONTCLAIR KIMBERLEY ACADEMY BLUE RIBBON AWARD

                                 ______


                        HON. WILLIAM J. MARTINI

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 6, 1996

  Mr. MARTINI. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure I rise today to 
recognize the

[[Page E1021]]

Montclair Kimberley Academy's recent achievement in receiving the U.S. 
Department of Education's Blue Ribbon Award.
  The Blue Ribbon Award gains its prestige from the intense competition 
it generates. Nearly 500 public and private schools throughout the 
United States, Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico were nominated for this 
honor. Montclair Kimberly Academy is 1 of 161 secondary schools and 
only 9 independent schools to receive this award.
  The schools were judged by a panel of 100 recognized school educators 
and local leaders. These individuals evaluated the schools on the basis 
of several criterium dealing with the academic accomplishments and 
dedication of both the students and teachers.
  The Montclair Kimberley Academy has been providing sound education to 
its students for over 100 years. Since its meager beginning as a one-
room schoolhouse of only 35 students, the academy has been dedicated to 
a curriculum focusing on individual attention and the freedom to 
develop personal initiatives. Over the years, this center of learning 
and culture within my district has seen many considerable changes. A 
strong school spirit and a loyal alumni had a great deal to do with 
building this school into such a proud institution. Today, the 
Montclair Kimberley Academy spans three campuses and educates over 
1,000 students from kindergarten through grade twelve.
  The true strengths of the Montclair Kimberley Academy are the special 
relationships between the faculty and students and the welcoming and 
productive learning environment it provides. Working together, the 
students and teachers of the academy affirm their commitment to the 
words on the school seal: knowledge, vision, and integrity. This Blue 
Ribbon Award is a tribute to the teachers for their hard work and 
dedication to personalized attention and to the students, whose 
curiosity and motivation is matched only by their achievements. It is 
my hope that the Montclair Kimberley Academy's long traditions of 
excellence in education will provide a shining example to other 
schools, both public and private, so that they too, might rise to new 
levels of academic excellence.

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