[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 53 (Thursday, May 2, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E673]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             WAUKESHA WEST WINS NATIONAL ACADEMIC DECATHLON

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                         HON. GERALD D. KLECZKA

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 1, 2002

  Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, on Saturday, April 13, nine students from 
Waukesha West High School made history as the first team from outside 
of California or Texas to win the United States Academic Decathlon in 
its 21-year history.
  The Academic Decathlon consists of 10 events with questions involving 
six subjects: art; music; economics and science; language and 
literature; mathematics; and social science. The students make 
presentations, write essays, give interviews and participate in the 
SuperQuiz, a Jeopardy-like challenge with nine rounds of five questions 
each along a common topic.
  The Waukesha team broke new ground by winning the Wisconsin state 
championship. Then with that victory under their belt, they moved on to 
the nationals. There, they were named ``rookie team of the year'' and 
placed first among Division 11 schools. In the final round, they truly 
proved themselves first among equals by winning the overall 
competition.
  Decathletes Ryan Ramlow, Katy Long, Jacob Kowalski, Adam Siegel, Jon 
Lindsley, Brian Kyle, Nicole Chartier, Nate Edwards and Scott Wilcox 
and alternates Steve Moon and Chris Schrader are to be congratulated 
for their accomplishments and the milestone they have set. Waukesha 
West won the overall competition that drew 55 top-notch teams 
representing 38 states.
  Their victory could not have been accomplished without the help of 
coaches Duane Stein, Christine Beck and Lee Schmidt, as well as the 
parents, faculty and administrators of Waukesha West. It was with their 
encouragement that the team was able to win at the state and national 
competitions. Their pride was evident from the reception that welcomed 
the winning team home at Mitchell International Airport on the Monday 
after the victory with the same fervor usually reserved for sports 
heroes.
  One of the goals when the Academic Decathlon was founded in 1981 was 
to develop interest in academics among all students. Teams are 
comprised of individuals representing a range of skill levels: three A 
students, three B students and three C students. The competition 
promotes the value of academic excellence, and stresses the importance 
of involvement for all students.
  Waukesha West High School's win shows that great things can be 
accomplished through the hard work and dedication of students, teachers 
and parents acting together. This is not only a goal of the Academic 
Decathlon program, but also the education system as a whole.

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