[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 74 (Monday, June 12, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S5715]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING ALABAMA'S PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS

 Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, I commend four students from my 
home State of Alabama who have been named members of the 42nd class of 
Presidential scholars. Since its creation in 1964, the Presidential 
Scholars Program has honored over 5,000 graduating high school seniors 
for academic excellence, artistic accomplishments, and civic 
contributions. These remarkable young people have proven to meet 
rigorous standards of academic excellence and leadership. This year, I 
am proud to announce that Alabama has three Presidential scholars and 
one Presidential scholar in the arts.
  Students designated as Presidential scholars are among only 121 
selected for this high honor out of over 2,700 applicants invited to 
apply. Alabama students selected this year include Amanda R. Long of 
Oxford High School in Anniston, AL; Adam M. Trettel of Briarwood 
Christian School in Birmingham, AL; and, Kelly M. McConnaughey of 
Virgil I. Grissom High School in Huntsville, AL.
  I am also very pleased to share that Sarah C. Campbell, of the 
Alabama School of Fine Arts in Birmingham, AL, has been named one of 
only 20 Presidential scholars in the arts. These recipients are 
selected from a pool of over 6,500 students for accomplishments in the 
visual, literary, and performing arts, in addition to their 
scholarship, leadership, and public service.
  The Presidential Scholars Program not only seeks to honor Our 
Nation's finest students but also recognizes the teachers who have been 
influential in these students' lives. Each student had the opportunity 
to nominate one exceptional teacher to receive the program's Teacher 
Recognition Award. Teachers play an essential role in our society and 
give of themselves selflessly in aiding the development of their 
students. I applaud the work of these fine teachers: Mrs. Angela L. 
Dickert, nominated by Amanda R. Long; Mr. Barry Walker, nominated by 
Adam M. Trettel; Ms. Suzanne Bailey, nominated by Kelly M. 
McConnaughey; and, Mr. D. Bradford Hill, nominated by Sarah C. 
Campbell.
  It is fitting and appropriate that we recognize these fine students 
for their accomplishments and to recognize the teachers that have meant 
so much to their success.

                          ____________________