[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 64 (Thursday, May 1, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E848]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   IN HONOR OF THE U.S. CHAMPION MOORPARK HIGH SCHOOL DECATHLON TEAM

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                          HON. ELTON GALLEGLY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 1, 2003

  Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Moorpark High 
School Academic Decathlon Team as the United States Academic Decathlon 
Champions.
  This is the second time in five years that Moorpark High School's 
team has won this premiere scholastic contest. Prior to its win in 
1999, no team from Ventura County, California, had even competed in the 
nationals.
  Team members Lindsay Hebert, Nathaniel Jones, Adam Abed, Paul Ideal, 
Kevin Randolf, Ashlee Scott, Grant Volk, Tracy Yagi and Max Geiger are 
now recognized as the best and the brightest in the country. They are 
the pride of their school, their community and their country.
  These youngsters won by literally dedicating their lives to the 
challenge. For nine months they put in up to 40 hours a week beyond 
their school days to study and hone their skills. They gave up 
weekends, vacations, part-time jobs and time with their families.
  Their hard work paid off. Last weekend, Moorpark scored 51,423 points 
out of a possible 60,000 points to win the national title against 37 
other teams from throughout the country. They brought home 15 gold, 
nine silver and seven bronze medals.
  Their coach, Larry Jones, worked as hard, if not harder, than his 
students and is as deserving of high praise. Coach Jones has said he 
will retire from the team after 12 years of leading dozens of students 
to victory at the county, state and national level. He said the same 
thing after winning the 1999 championship, but this time he says he 
means it. At a minimum, he has earned some relaxation in the glow of a 
job well done--again. I know my colleagues will join me in wishing him 
the best in whatever his future brings.
  Mr. Speaker, I also know my colleagues will join me in applauding 
nine outstanding students who achieved a very prestigious goal--Lindsay 
Hebert, Nathaniel Jones, Adam Abed, Paul Ideal, Kevin Randolf, Ashlee 
Scott, Grant Volk, Tracy Yagi and Max Geiger--the U.S. champion 
Moorpark High School Academic Decathlon Team.

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