[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 29, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E752]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   CONGRATULATING BRIDGER HIGH SCHOOL

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                         HON. DENNIS R. REHBERG

                               of montana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 29, 2008

  Mr. REHBERG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Bridger High 
School of Bridger, Montana for their 2008 Grammy Signature School 
Enterprise Award. With this prestigious award for academic excellence 
in music, Bridger High School receives a $5,000 grant to use for 
improvement in their music department. These funds will also help this 
school's music department improve the quality of their program to a 
level that will allow them to compete for Grammy Signature School 
status in years to come.
  The Grammy Signature School program was created by the Grammy 
Foundation in 1998. Through a stringent application process that begins 
in September with notifying over 20,000 schools nation-wide each school 
year, public high schools from a variety of large, small, urban, and 
rural districts are encouraged to send information regarding each 
school's music program. After each application is reviewed, finalists 
are chosen and then required to submit additional documentation 
including recordings of school concerts and programs. The Grammy 
screening committee then reviews each finalist to determine the 
winners. Bridger High School is the first school in Montana history to 
win the Enterprise Award.
  Bridger, Montana is a small agricultural community of approximately 
750 residents located in south-central Montana. Bridger High School is 
part of a K-12 school with 199 students. The music department has one 
teacher, Mrs. Michel Sticka. Since Mrs. Sticka joined the staff six 
years ago, the music department has grown from a handful of students to 
the exceptional program it is today. The fact that Mrs. Sticka has 
built this music program from the ground up is phenomenal, especially 
considering the relatively small size of the school. Her music program 
consists of a high school choir, band, pep band, and jazz band, as well 
as a junior high cadet jazz band, 5th grade band and 6th-8th grade 
music.
  All Montanans can be proud of this outstanding contribution to music 
education. The hard work and dedication of Mrs. Sticka and her students 
is certainly well-deserving of the 2008 Grammy Signature School 
Enterprise Award.
  I ask that Mrs. Michel Sticka, Bridger High School, and the high 
school music students be added in my comments today.
  Music Teacher: Mrs. Michel Sticka
  Superintendent: Mr. John Ballard
  Students: Benton Asbury, Katryna Asbury, Samantha Bobby, Jon 
Bostwick, Devon Cabellero, Jenny Cooke, Jessica Denney, Karissa 
DeRudder, Sommer Dykstra, Rebekah Edelman, Hayden Forsythe, Hannah 
Goetz, Jacey Griswold, Elliott McCarthy, Forrest McCarthy, Kimberly 
McClurg, Heidi Mudd, Wendi Mudd, Taran Murray, Lenore Pierson, Cole 
Schwend, Edward Stevenson, Andrea Sticka, Bailee Vaughn, Ryan Witt, 
Kyla Young, Tyler Young, Brittany Zentner.

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