[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 1 (Thursday, January 3, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING THE MOUNT MADONNA SCHOOL GIRLS VOLLEYBALL TEAM

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 3, 2008

  Mr. FARR. Madam Speaker, I rise today along with my colleague and 
good friend Congressman Mike Honda in order to congratulate the members 
and coaches of the Mount Madonna girls volleyball team on their 
extraordinary run to become the 2007 California Interscholastic 
Federation, CIF, Division V Champions. In 3 years, the Mount Madonna 
Hawks went from being a team ranked non-competitive by their own 
athletic league to state champions.
  In a school of only fifty students with only thirteen of those being 
junior and senior girls, eleven girls made the seemingly impossible a 
reality. On December 1, 2007 the Mount Madonna Hawks defeated an 
opponent from a school seven times their size to win the 2007 CIF 
Division V State Championship.
  Along the way the Hawks also picked up the titles of the Santa Cruz 
Coast Athletic League Co-Champions, the CIF Central Coast Section 
Division V Champions, and the CIF Northern California Division V 
Champions. They accomplished this while also earning the CIF Central 
Coast Section award for best collective grade point average for an all 
varsity team.
  Team leaders Hannah Meade, Alexa Rosendale and Erin Mitchell were 
each recognized individually by local and State organizations for their 
inspired and passionate play. However, we all know that it is the 
entire team of Ashley England, Camille Schwartz, Joanna Koda, Rachel 
Sunberg, Shelby Bofula, Soma Sharen, Tessa Fischer and Zoe Bostick that 
made this possible. I am so proud of their accomplishment and urge them 
to cherish this moment and use it as inspiration to overcome adversity 
in the years ahead.
  I have long admired the students and teachers at the Mount Madonna 
School and second year Coach Gabrielle Houston Neville, more 
affectionately known as Gabby, and Athletic Director Sidd McDonald. 
They are testaments to the dedicated and exceptional staff that 
nurtures these future leaders.
  When people ask about the young women of the 2007 Mount Madonna girls 
volleyball team, let it be said that throughout the season they showed 
the character, determination, sportsmanship, and mental and physical 
resilience of true champions. To the team I say, congratulations on 
your title as 2007 Division V State Champions, young Hawks; may this 
mark the beginning of future successes.

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