[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 61 (Tuesday, May 14, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E801-E802]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          CRYSTAL APPLE AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 14, 2002

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor to commend seven 
dedicated teachers from Northwest Indiana have been voted outstanding 
educators by their peers for the 2001-2002 school year. These 
individuals, Joyce Abbott, Laura Marzotto, Danny Chapman, Carole 
Selund, Patricia Premetz, Ben Geesa and Kay Harness will be presented 
with the Crystal Apple Award at a reception sponsored by the Indiana 
State Teachers Association. This event will take place at the Andorra 
Restaurant and Banquets in Schererville, Indiana, on Wednesday, May 15, 
2002.
  Joyce Abbott, from the Crown Point Community School Corporation, has 
taught music for 17 years at Solon Robinson Elementary School. The love 
and passion that Joyce has for music, both personally and 
professionally, is demonstrated through the creativity and enthusiasm 
that she projects, in order to inspire not only the students, but also 
the teachers at Solon Robinson Elementary School.
  Laura Marzotto has only been with the Hanover Community School 
Corporation for three years, but she is a great addition to Hanover 
Central High School. When Laura first came to Hanover Central as a 
teacher in the Business Department, a marketing program was 
nonexistent. Yet as a result of her tireless efforts, a marketing track 
has been initiated, a program through which students can take a variety 
of marketing courses. Additionally, students are able to receive 
college credit through Ivy Tech State College after successfully 
completing required proficiencies.
  A dedicated science teacher in the School Town of Highland for more 
than 30 years, Danny Chapman is a role model, an inspiration to his 
students, and an outstanding professional. Dan is a wonderful caring 
teacher who frequently offers a wide variety of activities and learning 
experiences to supplement the curriculum. The most notable, and perhaps 
most challenging experience, includes a three day/two night field trip 
to the Indiana Dunes Environmental Learning Center in Porter, Indiana. 
Here, students were involved in science-based activities for three 
days. Since 1994, Dan has served as co-sponsor for the Science Olympiad 
Team at Highland High School. Additionally, he is the Science Teacher 
for the Adult Education program for GED classes at Highland, a position 
he has held since 1996.
  A professional educator for thirty-six years in the Lake Central 
School Corporation, Carole Selund is a valuable asset. Carole has 
taught both Spanish and English to freshmen and sophomores at Lake 
Central High School. Since Carole is conscientious about having her 
students meet the standards expected of them, she returned to college 
to earn a Master's degree in Reading and created the first curriculum 
in the Lake Central School Corporation to address individual reading 
problems in the student population. In addition, Carole is very active 
in the School Corporation. She has co-chaired a number of committees 
for the Performance Based Accreditation Committee and served on the 
North Central Accreditation Committee.
  Twenty-three years ago, Patricia Premetz was hired to teach honors 
Geometry at Munster High School. She is described by her peers as an 
outstanding professional and dedicated teacher. For the past three and 
one-half years, Patricia has been the Department Chairperson and is now 
teaching honors PreCalculus. Her enthusiasm for the subject matter, as 
well as her teaching style, has withstood the test of time. Patricia 
makes learning an enjoyable experience, for she blends her

[[Page E802]]

creative spirit and her willingness to experiment with new ideas and 
techniques to better foment mathematics concepts in the minds of her 
students. Patricia's compassion for others is exhibited by her 
thoughtfulness towards both students and teachers.
  Ben Geesa came to the Newton School Corporation 27 years ago, after 
serving his country in the United States Air Force. Since technology 
plays a vital role in the world and the economy, Ben was instrumental 
in starting the first computer education classes at North Newton High 
School. Ben is known as the computer ``guru'' throughout the 
corporation, as he helps to troubleshoot computer problems. His peers 
know him as a dedicated teacher and he is a continuous source of 
enthusiasm for his students as well as his coworkers.
  Kay Harness is a fine example of the tenets embodied by those who 
have dedicated their lives to educating America's youth. Kay hails from 
the Tri-Creek School Corporation, where she has greeted her students 
and colleagues with a genuine smile for over 33 years. She has been 
active in all aspects of the school environment and has given continued 
support to the Parent Teacher Organization. Kay strives to be 
approachable and communicates well with administrators, fellow 
teachers, students, and parents.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my distinguished colleagues to join me in 
commending these outstanding educators on their receipt of the 2001-
2002 Crystal Apple Award. The years of hard work they have put forth in 
shaping the minds and futures of Northwest Indiana's young people is a 
true inspiration to us all.

                          ____________________