[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 44 (Thursday, April 14, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E649]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING JOHANNA CLARK

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM GERLACH

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 14, 2005

  Mr. GERLACH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Johanna Clark, the 
Boyertown Outstanding Student of the Year.
  Johanna Clark is that special kind of student who not only excels in 
her academic work at school, but one who enthusiastically participates 
in all sorts of extracurricular activities. Johanna is seen by many in 
such a positive light that she is commonly described as caring, 
effervescent, intelligent, and responsible.
  Johanna has said that she lives to help other people and make them 
happy. This is clearly evident through the work she is involved in. She 
is a member of the Boyertown High School Key Club, Student Council, 
``Insight,'' the high school cable television talk show, the Boyertown 
Holiday House tour, peer mediation, and the meth hotline mentoring 
program. Johanna diligently provides support for others while 
consistently demonstrating a strong work ethic.
  Johanna's academic achievement is quite impressive, with a current 
grade point average of 4.01. She has taken honors English courses since 
her freshman year and she began taking both honors social studies and 
science as a sophomore. As a senior, she has added to her impressive 
academic schedule by taking AP environmental science. And Johanna has 
been a member of the National Honor Society since her junior year.
  Johanna has future plans to attend Millersville University where she 
will major in early childhood education, elementary education, and she 
then plans to get her certification in English as a Second Language. 
Johanna has expressed interest in teaching second grade upon 
graduation. As a high school student, she has already gained 
considerable experience working as a Sunday school teaching assistant 
at St. John's Lutheran Church in Boyertown for many years. At St. 
John's, Johanna also assists with the youth group, serves as an 
acolyte, and helps out in the nursery.
  Johanna is the daughter of Jenny and Fitzhugh Clark and is the third 
of four children. Johanna's family life has served as a source of 
inspiration for her by instilling her with lasting values and an 
extraordinary work ethic. She stated how grateful she was to have 
people in her life who have inspired her, and in particular, her 
grandmother, Jeanne Dill. Johanna says that ``she is the most honest 
and giving person I know. I have worked so hard over the years to be 
like her as best as I could and to make her proud . . . because of her, 
in a big way, I am who I am today.''
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me today in honoring this 
tremendous young lady. Johanna Clark is an inspiration to all through 
her hard work and community service. It is an honor to stand before you 
to recognize and congratulate Johanna on her many impressive 
accomplishments and to wish her the very best of luck in the future.

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