[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 39 (Tuesday, March 11, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E425]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




TRIBUTE TO THE LOLA DE RODRIGUEZ DE TIO ACADEMY OF FUTURE TECHNOLOGIES 
            AT INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL 162 FROM THE SOUTH BRONX

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 11, 2003

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and to 
congratulate The Lola de Rodriguez de Tio Academy of Future 
Technologies at Intermediate School 162 from the South Bronx which, on 
Saturday, February 8, 2003, won the 2003 New York City FIRST Lego 
League Tournament. This is a highly competitive tournament that trains 
students to use Lego blocks and computers to solve challenges that 
urban planners face every day.
  The New York City competition included 115 schools from the five 
boroughs, including Manhattan East, IS 72--The Rocco Laurle School, 
Brooklyn Tech, Hunter High School, IS 98K--Bay Academy, MS 51K, 
Satellite West Academy, IS 227Q--Louis Armstrong, MS 217 Q, IS 90M--
Mirabel Sisters, IS 22--Mott Hall, IS 187--The Christa McAulliffe 
School in Brooklyn, among many others.
  Despite being a rookie team they went on to win every category--
including the robotics competition and the research competition. They 
also won the 2003 First Lego League Bronx Ryders Winner of the Top 
Prize Director's Award.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment to recognize the members 
of the team. From the 8th Grade Team they are: Terrell Washington, 
Byron Flores, Durrell Washington, Hazel Rivera, Elyse Arroyo, Noel 
Pichardo, Valentine Dixon and Austin Leak. From the 7th Grade Team they 
are: Jose Verdejo, David Quinones, Nikisha Romsaran, Nickolos Rivera, 
Joshua Rodriguez, Natholy Torella, Jose Matos and Alexis Herrera.
  The team will be heading to Houston, Texas to compete in the National 
Tournament from April 10-April 13. Only 20 teams out of 2500 nationwide 
have been chosen to compete. We wish these amazing young people from 
the South Bronx the best of luck.
  They have demonstrated that they have the ability and the desire to 
be assets and role models in our community. We are proud of their 
accomplishments and I hope they will continue to be successful. They 
are terrific examples for young men and women throughout our 
communities.
  Again, I congratulate and I wish them the best of luck in their 
future enterprises. They are our Champions!
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to and 
congratulating The Lola de Rodriguez de Tio Academy of Future 
Technologies at Intermediate School 162 from the South Bronx.

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