[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 45 (Friday, April 2, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E504-E505]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                A TRIBUTE TO SOUTH MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. ED PASTOR

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 1, 2004

  Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to proudly pay 
tribute to South Mountain High School, in Phoenix, Arizona, which 
celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.
  This distinguished school in the Phoenix Unified High School District 
first opened its doors in February of 1954. For the last five decades 
it has proudly served the educational needs of the students in south 
Phoenix and has become one of the most dynamic schools in the district, 
offering five magnet programs: aviation and aerospace education, law-
related studies, performing arts (drama, music, and dance), visual arts 
(drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture, computer art and photography), 
and communication art (print, radio, television and film).
  From its student body to its administrative team, SMHS's history of 
success is lengthy. Accommodating up to 3,000 students at times, the 
school has been able to maintain one of the highest graduation and 
attendance rates in the district. In addition, throughout the years 
students at SMHS have consistently improved their test scores in every 
category.
  The administrative staff at SMHS is also a reason to boast. Of the 
seven National Board Certified Teachers in the district, four teach at 
South Mountain. The school has produced the District Teacher of the 
Year for the past two years, and Assistant Principal Robert Estrada was 
named 2002 Arizona Class 5-A Athletic Director of the Year. 
Furthermore, the Administrative team at South Mountain has the longest 
tenure of any team in the district. Patricia Tobin, in her sixth year, 
has the second longest tenure as a current principle at a Phoenix Union 
school.

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  South Mountain High School's mission is ``to create a community of 
learners.'' I am proud to say that SMHS has more than accomplished this 
mission and continues to produce tomorrow's leaders who proudly 
represent the home of the Jaguars.
  Mr. Speaker, as you can surmise, South Mountain is a landmark in 
Phoenix with a successful past and a promising future that has served 
the needs of its diverse, dynamic and growing community. It has 
improved student achievement as well as effectively used human and 
fiscal resources. It continues to raise academic achievement and serves 
as a model high school for the nation. Therefore, I am pleased to pay 
tribute to South Mountain High School in Phoenix, Arizona, and I know 
my colleagues will join me in congratulating the student body, faculty, 
staff, administrators and alumni.

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