[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 57 (Wednesday, May 8, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S4061]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         CONGRATULATIONS TO THE JOHNSON CENTRAL ACADEMIC EAGLES

 Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the Johnson 
Central High School Academic Eagles for winning the prestigious and 
coveted Derby Festival Academic Challenge. The 14th Annual LG&E Energy 
Foundation Derby Festival Academic Challenge is a quick recall 
tournament which began in 1989 with just 16 middle schools from 
Jefferson County. Over the years, the tournament has grown to include 
both middle and high school quick recall teams from around the 
Commonwealth. In this year's competition, 105 middle and high school 
teams throughout Kentucky competed in each of the two divisions for 3 
days for the $1,000 prize and the right to be named the Derby Festival 
champion.
  Led by coaches Brenda Porter and Freda Spencer, the Johnson Central 
team dominated the competition from the onset and proved to everyone 
involved that they are the best-of-the-best. Josh Daniel, the captain 
of the Academic Eagles, deserves special recognition for placing an 
impressive second in the Catherine Burmleve Individual Achievement 
Award competition for performance on individual assessment exams. By 
capturing the Derby Festival Academic Challenge crown, the Eagles were 
presented with a crystal trophy, $1,000 prize, medals, commemorative 
Kentucky Derby Pins, and Derby Festival Academic Challenge Championship 
jackets. Furthermore, the team participated in the 128th annual 
Kentucky Derby Pegasus Parade as Kentucky's premier academic team.
  I once again congratulate the members of the Johnson Central High 
School Academic team on their amazing accomplishment. They proved that 
teamwork, hard work, and dedication lead to success. I thank them for 
their commitment to education and urge them to continue to reach for 
the stars.

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