[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 67 (Friday, May 22, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E937-E938]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATIONS TO MT. CARMEL HIGH SCHOOL, NATIONAL OCEAN SCIENCES BOWL 
                               FINALISTS

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. RANDY ``DUKE'' CUNNINGHAM

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 21, 1998

  Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to students 
and teachers of Mt. Carmel High School, in San Diego, California, who 
recently came to Washington as national finalists in the first annual 
National Ocean Sciences Bowl.
  The National Ocean Sciences Bowl is an academic competition among 
teams of high school students designed to increase their awareness and 
understanding of the oceans and ocean sciences. It provides an 
opportunity for U.S. oceanographic research laboratories, like the 
Scripps institution of Oceanography in San Diego, to develop strong 
connections with their local primary and secondary schools. And it 
creates a unique national education event in honor of the International 
Year of the ocean, which is this year, 1998.
  I am particularly proud of the team from my congressional district, 
at Mr. Carmel High School. This past spring, they won well-contested 
Southern California Regional Ocean Sciences Bowl. The regional 
competition drew the cooperation of the Birch Aquarium, the San Diego 
County Office of Education, the San Diego Science Alliance, the San 
Diego Science Educators Association and the Scripps Institution of 
Oceanography, all of which I want to recognize for their support.
  Let the permanent Record of the Congress of the United States show 
that the teachers and students of Mt. Carmel High School have 
distinguished themselves in the field of oceanographic studies as 
national finalists in the National Ocean Sciences Bowl. In tribute to 
their hard work, I insert into the Record a summary of the Mt. Carmel 
team provided by the Consortium for Oceanographic Research and 
Education, whose President, Adm. James D. Watkins, USN (Ret.), has 
provided extraordinary leadership in this and many other fields.


[[Page E938]]



 Mount Carmel High School, San Diego, California--Southern California 
                      Regional Ocean Sciences Bowl

       Team Coach: Harold W. Dorr teaches Introduction to 
     Oceanography and Zoology. He also teaches college courses at 
     Palomar College in San Marcos. Mr. Dorr has a BS in 
     biological sciences from San Diego State University and a MS 
     in marine science from the University of San Diego. Prior to 
     teaching he enjoyed 5 years working as a biological 
     technician (fisheries) for the National Marine Fisheries 
     Service and 5 additional years working various diving 
     activities including teaching SCUBA, working as a diver at an 
     oceanarium, and collecting marine biological data on various 
     research projects. Mr. Dorr shares his life with his lovely 
     and patient wife and never gets his fill of sharing the 
     ocean, mountains and deserts with his three children.
       Team Members: Senior Julie Fero enjoys swimming on both the 
     school swim team and PQ Aquatics. She is also involved in 
     dance at school. She hopes to attend Humbolt State University 
     and pursue a degree in marine biology, and eventually a 
     graduate degree in oceanography. Senior Shawn Nesbitt enjoys 
     motorcycle riding, fishing and diving. His favorite school 
     subjects are oceanography, and a course called work 
     experience. His extracurricular activities include 
     participating in the Oceanography Club activities and playing 
     hockey for his school. Shawn is also an Aquarist intern at 
     the Birch Aquarium at Scripps. He would like to thank you for 
     taking the time to read his biography and say hello to all 
     his family in the audience. Senior Nathan Niemi moved from 
     Minnesota to San Diego when he was seven and promptly fell in 
     love with the beach. Physics is his favorite subject. He 
     aspires to drive his parents bankrupt. He works as a waiter 
     which allots him money to spend but no time to spend it. Body 
     boarding and ice hockey are his first loves. Nathan's career 
     goal is to do something that makes him happy. Senior Shadi 
     Ghandchi is the youngest child in his family. About 3\1/2\ 
     years ago he and moved to the US with his mother and sisters 
     in search of a good education. Not speaking English made the 
     first year difficult but the second year was better. Since 
     sophomore year he has been an avid member of the Key Club, 
     Math Club, California Scholarship Federation (CSF), and the 
     Ecology Club. In his Junior year he became the President of 
     the International Ski Club, and the Secretary of the Computer 
     Club. Shadi's Senior year saw him awarded membership to the 
     National Honor Society. He currently is the secretary of the 
     Math Club. His favorite subject is science, especially 
     biology, chemistry and physics. He hopes to become a 
     Biological Engineer. Senior Keith Gretlein has marched in the 
     award wining Mt. Carmel Band for four years and is currently 
     in the nationally renowned Wind Ensemble. He has held a 
     steady job for four years in the field of child development. 
     His future education will carried out through many 
     prestigious schools and will probably focus on oceanography. 
     Keith would like to thank his parents, teammates and coach, 
     Mr. Dorr.

     

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