[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 70 (Wednesday, June 3, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E998]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          BLUE RIBBON SCHOOLS

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                           HON. LOUIS STOKES

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 3, 1998

  Mr. STOKES. Mr. Speaker, I have great pride in standing before you 
today to announce that Whitney M. Young Middle School in my Eleventh 
Congressional District has been awarded the Blue Ribbon School Award. 
This prestigious award was given to 166 secondary schools this year, 14 
of which are in Ohio. The Blue Ribbon School award recognizes schools 
that have strong leadership, up-to-date curriculum and instruction, 
provide challenges to the students, high quality teaching and produces 
a safe environment that is conducive to learning. Other criteria 
include parent and community involvement, clear vision and mission 
shared by the entire school, and evidence that it helps all its 
students achieve the highest standard possible and share these 
standards and practices with other schools. These schools must also 
integrate these practices while meeting local, state, and national 
goals.
  The schools are judged on these major requirements by a distinguished 
panel of some 100 public and private school educators, college and 
university staff, state and local government officials, school board 
members, parents, the education press, medical professionals, and 
business representatives. Whitney M. Young Middle School passed this 
selection criteria and the necessary on site visits in order to be 
recognized for the innovative work it is accomplishing through the 
education process.
  Whitney M. Young Middle School is located in an urban environment 
with a 75% minority student body. A major portion of the school's 
success is having a faculty that is willing to go that extra mile for 
their students by ensuring a proper and challenging curriculum is 
available. Teachers are not only available for extra time with students 
but with parents as well for conferences and team meetings. Many of the 
strategic approaches that are initiated at Whitney Young are teacher 
implemented and originated.
  Whitney Young also recognizes the efforts of it's student body by 
awarding achievement on a regular basis. Students are given the 
opportunity for a wide range of cultural activities based upon their 
academic performance. The Cleveland metropolitan area provides the 
middle school with a diverse variety of events for the students to 
attend. Corporate sponsors are involved in Whitney Young's phenomenal 
learning process as well, by each year sponsoring a special location 
for the National Junior Honor Society inductions.
  Mr. Speaker, schools are the institutions that equip our young people 
with the necessary tools for dealing with the challenges of the next 
century. This prestigious award recognizes those schools that not only 
provide students with an education but do so with a degree of pride and 
excellence. I would like to recognize a few of the people involved in 
Whitney Young's educational success; Mrs. Elaine Davis, the principal, 
the faculty and staff of Whitney Young, and lastly the students for 
their incredible achievement. I am extremely proud that Whitney M. 
Young Middle School has been added to the roster of distinguished 
schools who have received this award.

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