[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 86 (Thursday, June 19, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1261-E1262]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE NATIONAL VICTORY OF THE MINNESOTA STATE HIGH SCHOOL 
                          MATHEMATICS LEAGUES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BRUCE F. VENTO

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 19, 1997

  Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the achievement of 
the Minnesota State High School Mathematics League's statewide team. 
The team's Gold squad took first place in the Nation among Division I 
teams at the American Regions Math League Contest held in Iowa City, 
IA. This is a proud new achievement for the State of Minnesota, in that 
Minnesota has never finished first in this national competition which 
draws nearly 1,000 high school students representing nearly every State 
across the Nation.
  The League hosted two teams from Minnesota, the Maroon and Gold 
teams, in the tradition of the Golden Gopher spirit and the University 
of Minnesota's school colors. The Gold team consists of 15 all-star 
``mathletes,'' 5 of whom are from St. Paul schools in the Fourth 
Congressional District which I am honored to represent. The Minnesota 
Maroon team, which placed seventh in the Division II competition 
bracket, is composed of 15 excellent math students, 4 of whom also 
attend schools in my hometown of St. Paul.
  As a life-long science educator, I am proud of all these students and 
feel that the high level of participation by so many students from St. 
Paul is testimony to the level of support from families, teachers, and 
the St. Paul community. I would especially congratulate the coaches of 
these teams, all of whom are teachers. As an educator in Minnesota, I 
well understand the hard work, dedication, and determination that added 
up to success for the Minnesota Gold and Maroon teams at this national 
mathematics competition.
  I am sure my colleagues will join me in commending the fine, hard-
working students of the Minnesota State High School Mathematics Leagues 
for national excellence in mathematics. In a time when budgets are 
tight, classrooms are overcrowded, teachers are overworked, and 
students are faced with increasing challenges both in the school and in 
the home, the national achievement of these Minnesota students and 
teachers are all the more encouraging. Successes like these serve to 
remind us of our national priorities and the importance of investing in 
our children through education.
  Congratulations to all the Minnesota students and the students from 
across the Nation who participated in this year's mathematics 
competition.
  Members of the Minnesota Gold team were: Matt Craighead, St. Paul 
Academy; Eugene Davydov, St. Louis Park; Dave Freeman, Blake; Keith 
Frikken, Winona; John Gregg, St. Paul Academy; Matt Hancher, St. Paul 
Academy; Jesse Kamp, Apple Valley; Tom McElmurry, Irondale; Andy 
Niedermaier, Benilde-St. Margaret's; Nate Ostberg, St. Thomas Academy; 
Bill Owens, Rochester Mayo; Lars Roe, St. Paul Central; Joshua 
VonKorff, St. Cloud Tech; Jin Wang, Rochester John Marshall; and Ben 
Zweibel, St. Louis Park.

[[Page E1262]]

  Members of the Minnesota Maroon team were: Chris Arnesen, 
International School; Michael Born, Mankato East; Matt Colvin, Dassel-
Cokato; John De Nero, Blake; Nate Dobel, Mounds View; Susan Dorsher, 
St. Cloud Tech; Ben Konkel, St. Paul Central; Yael Levi, St. Paul 
Academy; Sam Linsay-Levine, St. Paul Central; Jon Moon, St. Paul 
Central; Dan Owens, Rochester Mayo; Tim Rantasha, St. Cloud Tech; Leo 
Shklovskii, St. Louis Park; Tim Sjoberg, Rosemount; and Vishan Wong, 
Mounds View.
  Team Coachers were: Tom Kilkelly, St. Thomas Academy; Bill Boulger, 
St. Paul Academy; Marlys Henke, St. Paul Central; and Mike Reiners, a 
three-time member of the State all-star math team.

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