[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 73 (Tuesday, June 9, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1079]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                RECOGNIZING ``MATHCOUNTS'' CONTEST STAR

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                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 9, 1998

  Ms. NOTRON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sarah Gilberg, one 
of the many achievers of the D.C. public schools. Sarah Gilberg, an 
eighth-grader at Alice Deal Junior High School, recently finished first 
nationwide among all female participants at the national ``Mathcounts'' 
competition here in Washington. Her hard work has won her a $3,000 
scholarship from the American Association of University Women. Today I 
rise to offer Sarah much-deserved recognition from the entire city and 
from this body.
  Sarah Gilberg placed first in the state level of ``Mathcounts'' 
before moving on to lead the small D.C. team to a 25th-place finish in 
the national competition. Her performance, which surpassed that of all 
other young women in the competition nationwide, shows that achievement 
is not limited to private schools. An eighth-grade student in Mr. Guy 
Brandenburg's geometry class, Sarah has taken the initiative and has 
met with great success. Sarah pursues interests in astronomy, art and 
music, in addition to her ongoing work in mathematics. Under the able 
and dedicated coaching and encouragement of a generous leader, Guy 
Brandenburg, she has risen to excel, and has added this latest award to 
many others held by Alice Deal Junior High School. Sarah truly 
represents the well-rounded D.C. student, combining her intellectual, 
academic and personal interests to achieve larger and larger honors. 
Across this city, DCPS students work hard and achieve excellence each 
and every day. Like Sarah Gilberg, many D.C. students build exemplary 
records but most go unnoticed.
  Members of the House have been quick to criticize the District's 
public school system for its considerable failures. I know that Members 
would want to recognize one of the many achievers produced by the D.C. 
public school system. I urge every Member to take note of the stars of 
the District of Columbia's public school system, beginning with Sarah 
Gilberg. I invite members and staff to participate in helping our 
youngsters to improve by mentoring, tutoring, and finding other ways to 
help our public schools. Public education needs our personal attention 
in order to blossom and reach for the stars. I am happy to represent 
Sarah Gilberg, one of these bright stars.

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