[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 55 (Friday, April 27, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E664]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    TRIBUTE TO EL CAMINO HIGH NATIONAL ACADEMIC DECATHLON CHAMPIONS

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                           HON. BRAD SHERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 27, 2001

  Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to academic 
excellence, and in particular, the achievements of the El Camino Real 
High School Academic Decathlon Team which won the national championship 
this past weekend.
  Too often, learning and knowledge are expected, but achievements in 
the academic field often are not rewarded or recognized in the same way 
as success on the athletic field.
  Nine seniors from El Camino High traveled to Anchorage, Alaska, and 
competed with nearly 500 high school students from 39 states in a broad 
array of categories and types of tests. The scholars were quizzed on 
art, economics, language and literature, mathematics, music and 
science, with speech, essay, interview and quiz formats.
  Decathletes Alan Wittenberg, Aria Haghighi, Samantha Henry, Elan Bar, 
Walter Ching, Grace Giles, Dennis Kuo, Scott Lulovics and Ryan Ruby 
represented their school and state with honor and pride.
  Though this was the second national championship for El Camino in the 
decathlon in just four years, this also was the closest competition in 
the two decades of the event. James E. Taylor High School of Texas, the 
2000 U.S. Academic Decathlon champions, finished just 21 points behind 
El Camino in a competition that included 60,000 possible points per 
team.
  All the more admirable is that this competition is not just for the 
A-students. The nine person teams are made up of A, B and C students 
equally. Such inclusion encourages academic achievement across the 
spectrum of grades and abilities.
  The 2001 El Camino team joins previous San Fernando Valley teams in 
the national spotlight. In 1998 El Camino had won the championship and 
Taft High School also won the national championship in 1993 and 1988.
  I would like to recognize not only the achievements of the nine 
champions from El Camino, but all of the competitors from around the 
country. Those students should be commended for their time, dedication 
and determination in their pursuit of academic success.
  For example, the El Camino team from Woodland Hills spent more than 
1,000 hours preparing for the city, state and national decathlons. 
Though they scored third highest nationwide coming
  As is necessary for academic success, the El Camino team was 
supported by caring, involved individuals, including Principal Ron 
Bauer, Assistant Principal for Student Counseling Connie Semf, Head 
Coaches Melinda Owen and Christian Cerone, and Coaches Mark Johnson, 
Dave Roberson, Jerry Hickman, Lilian Ruben and Becky Gessert, as well 
as many other teachers and the students' parents. Without the support 
of parents and faculty, the struggle for academic success is far 
greater, and for some impossible.
  The support of the students was apparent on Saturday, with 30 fans in 
the audience, including Principal Bauer, administrators from the Los 
Angeles Unified School District, two former Academic Decathlon coaches 
and parents in matching T-shirts in the school's blue and gold.
  Mr. Speaker, as we talk about the need to foster academic 
achievement, we must recognize and reward those who strive 
academically, just as we honor those who compete on the field. If we 
want our children to value education, then we must show our 
appreciation for knowledge. It is for this reason I recognize the 
stellar accomplishments of the El Camino Real High team.

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