[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 73 (Friday, May 4, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E954]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING VANDEN HIGH SCHOOL'S STATE CHAMPION ACADEMIC DECATHALON 
                                  TEAM

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                         HON. ELLEN O. TAUSCHER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 3, 2007

  Mrs. TAUSCHER. Madam Speaker, I rise with great pride today to 
recognize Vanden High School's Academic Decathlon Team for winning the 
Division II State Academic Decathlon Title.
  Over 500 schools from 42 counties in the State participate in the 
California Academic Decathlon, which promotes education and teamwork.
  The championship team from the Travis Unified School District in 
Solano County was led by Head Coach David Kenyon and included Team 
Members Erin Campos, Aleena Syed, Abdul Hassan, Nicolai McCrary, Elise 
Campos, Julieanne Cunningham, David Crowell, Adrian Bullock, and Tanya 
Campos.
  Not only did the Vanden High School's Academic Decathlon Team win the 
State Title, becoming the first Solano County School to achieve such a 
feat; they broke the Division II scoring record by amassing a grand 
total of 45,372 points. The Team also won the State Super Quiz Title.
  Prior to competing statewide, Vanden High School's Academic Decathlon 
Team won the first ever North Bay Regional Competition and also won the 
regional Super Quiz Title.
  The theme for the statewide competition was climathlogy and China. 
The students were required to answer questions relating to math, art, 
music, and history.
  The Vanden High School Academic Decathlon Team and coach put in 
numerous hours, including their lunch periods, to prepare for the 
regional and statewide competitions. This speaks volumes of their 
dedication to learn and work as a team.
  While several of the members will be graduating and moving on to 
college, they should take pride in the solid foundation they help build 
and the standard they set.
  Again, I would like to congratulate the Vanden High School Academic 
Decathlon Team for their monumental achievements and for bringing the 
State Academic Decathlon Title to Solano County. They represented their 
school and community extremely well. Go Vikings!

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