[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 21 (Wednesday, March 1, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E206-E207]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              MRS. MELISSA TREZISE, A PIONEER OF EDUCATION

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 1, 2000

  Mr. McINNIS.  Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment to recognize 
a woman that has

[[Page E207]]

dedicated her life to educating children. Mrs. Melissa Trezise has been 
a true pioneer in education. To preserve the history of education in 
rural Colorado in the early twentieth century, she has written her 
memoirs about what it was to be a teacher in rural Colorado in the 
1930's.
  Melissa knew from the time she was in elementary school she wanted to 
be a teacher. She wanted to help children learn how to read and write, 
but more importantly, she wanted to teach them about science, history 
and even art. Melissa taught math, science, geography, U.S. history, 
health, Colorado history, and agriculture. Students always looked 
forward to Friday's, not only because of the weekend, but also for 
their art classes.
  Melissa's first school, Catamount School, was located centrally in 
the region. This meant that everyone has to travel to the school. There 
was no well near the school, so pupils and teacher had to bring their 
own water. Melissa recalls that this was not always convenient and they 
all tried not to get too dirty.
  Recess is usually a student's favorite part of the school day. In 
this case, the teacher enjoyed recess just as much as the student. 
Melissa was the pitcher during the baseball games and she loved to jump 
rope with the students. Many people said they couldn't tell the 
difference between teacher and student when they were on the 
playground.
  Melissa moved to different schools and taught a great many children, 
but she will always remain a favorite in the eyes of many former 
students. Melissa's career encompassed everything from one-room 
schoolhouses to the current Eagle Valley Elementary School.
  It is with this, Mr. Speaker, that I offer this tribute in honor of a 
legend in education, Melissa Trezise. She is a woman that deserves our 
highest respect and praise.

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