[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 73 (Monday, May 5, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E816]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN HONOR OF THE U.S. CHAMPION MOORPARK HIGH SCHOOL ACADEMIC DECATHLON 
                                  TEAM

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                          HON. ELTON GALLEGLY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 5, 2008

  Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize the Moorpark High 
School Academic Decathlon Team as the United States Academic Decathlon 
Champions.
  This is the third time in 9 years that Moorpark High School's team 
has won this premier scholastic contest. Prior to its win in 1999, no 
team from Ventura County, California, had even competed in the 
nationals.
  This year's team made history, scoring 53,119 points, the highest 
ever scored in the decathlon's 40-year history. In winning the national 
title, the Moorpark team broke the record it set as California 
champions by 240 points.
  Team members Angela Chen, Jonah Buck, Christie Calle, Colin Calle, 
Anaamika Campeau, Justine Levan, Chrissa Rutkai, Kris Sankaran, and 
Paul Watanabe are now recognized as the best and the brightest in the 
country. They are the pride of their school, their community and their 
country.
  These youngsters won by literally dedicating their lives to the 
challenge. For 9 months they put in up to 40 hours a week beyond their 
school days to study and hone their skills. They gave up weekends, 
vacations, part-time jobs, and time with their families.
  Their hard work paid off. Moorpark came home with more medals than 
any of the other 41 teams from throughout the country, including 36 for 
individual subjects.
  Special honors go to Colin Calle, the top-scoring varsity student; 
Chrissa Rutkai, top scorer in the scholastic division; and Kris 
Sankaran, the second-highest individual scorer in the honors division.
  Their coach, Larry Jones, worked as hard, if not harder, than his 
students and is as deserving of high praise. Coach Jones has coached 
all three U.S. Championship teams. He is a man of outstanding strength, 
patience, and perseverance.
  Madam Speaker, I know my colleagues will join me in applauding nine 
outstanding students who made history while achieving a very 
prestigious goal--Angela Chen, Jonah Buck, Christie Calle, Colin Calle, 
Anaamika Campeau, Justine Levan, Chrissa Rutkai, Kris Sankaran, and 
Paul Watanabe--the 2008 U.S. Champion Moorpark High School Academic 
Decathlon Team.

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