[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 137 (Thursday, October 17, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1936]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      CELEBRATING SUMMERBRIDGE CINCINNATI INC.'S TENTH ANNIVERSARY

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                            HON. ROB PORTMAN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 17, 2002

  Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Summerbridge 
Cincinnati, Inc., a non-profit innovative teaching and mentoring 
program in Greater Cincinnati that recently celebrated ten years of 
success.
  Summerbridge began nationally in 1978, and now encompasses 26 
programs on 31 campuses throughout the United States and Hong Kong. The 
results are impressive: 90 percent of Summerbridge students have gone 
on to strong academic high school and college programs, and 64 percent 
of the teaching staff have pursued teaching careers.
  In 1992, Odessa Hooker and Bill Hopple recognized a need in 
Cincinnati for providing academic guidance outside the traditional 
classroom environment for middle school students. Ms. Hooker and Mr. 
Hopple began Summerbridge Cincinnati, a summer program at Cincinnati 
Country Day School, with fifty sixth and seventh graders. That initial 
summer program has grown to a year round one for sixth, seventh and 
eighth grade students. The programs and staff are now located on the 
campuses of the Cincinnati Country Day School and The Seven Hills 
School.
  Summerbridge brings together talented high school and college 
students who are interested in teaching with promising but underserved 
younger students. The mentor students instruct small, diverse classes 
in writing, literature, math, science, arts, music and theater, and 
also plan field trips. Each host school provides a director who is part 
of the school faculty.
  The focus is on developing leadership skills and self-esteem in a 
dynamic and academic environment. The program's success has been truly 
inspiring; both student and teacher participants have said the program 
was a breakthrough experience for them. All of us in Cincinnati are 
grateful to Summerbridge's teachers, students, and staff for ten years 
of making a positive difference in our community. We wish Summerbridge 
Cincinnati many more years of success.

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