[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 75 (Saturday, May 26, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E987]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING CAPITAL HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL ANDREW RENDON

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TOM UDALL

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 25, 2001

  Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Mr. Speaker, this is an emotional day for 
the public school system in Santa Fe, New Mexico, as we say goodbye to 
an educator who is dear to our hearts. Today, we say farewell to 
Capital High School Principal Andrew Rendon, who is retiring after 27 
years of dedicated service to New Mexico public schools.
  Mr. Rendon began his career as a 21-year-old student teacher at 
Robertson High School in Las Vegas, New Mexico. Additionally, he spent 
two years at West Las Vegas Junior High, also in Las Vegas. Mr. Rendon 
then moved into the Santa Fe school system, teaching history at Capshaw 
and Alameda middle schools, and one year at Santa Fe High School. After 
his promotion to the Assistant Principal of Alameda Middle School, he 
transferred to Capital High, where he has been the principal for the 
last ten years.
  The challenges facing Capital High have mounted over the past several 
years. The enrollment of the school has quickly risen to more than 
1,400 students. In fact, Capital High is larger than Mr. Rendon's 
hometown community of Chama, New Mexico. In 1998-99 Capital High's 
dropout rate of 11.9 percent was the highest in the district.
  Mr. Rendon has embraced these challenges by taking a hands-on 
approach in working with students to ensure their success, despite the 
daily hardships these students face. He has helped the Santa Fe Public 
School system aggressively institute literacy programs, beginning with 
kindergartners, to prepare students for high school. Mr. Rendon 
routinely spends time every day conversing with students and spending 
time with them on a one-on-one level, paying close attention to the 
issues that students face every day. His students say Mr. Rendon is a 
caring, ``cool'' individual, who ``is fair with students and doesn't 
play favorites.'' Mr. Rendon helps his students to realize the 
importance of a quality education, which in turn helps them to stay in 
school. As a result of his undying efforts, the school's TerraNova 
ranking has risen eight points, and the school's dropout and attendance 
rates have significantly improved.
  Mr. Speaker, I wish to recognize the tireless efforts of one of the 
most committed educators, Andrew Rendon, who has dramatically impacted 
the lives of thousands of students. I want to thank him for his work to 
overcome the hardships facing educators across the state of New Mexico. 
Mr. Rendon will be greatly missed.

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