[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 93 (Friday, June 6, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S5365]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATIONS TO SHAWNEE MISSION NORTH NAVAL JUNIOR RESERVE OFFICER 
                             TRAINING CORPS

 Mr. ROBERTS. Mr. President, I wish today to recognize the 
Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, NJROTC, of Shawnee Mission 
North High School in Overland Park, KS, for their outstanding 
performance in the 2008 NJROTC Nationals competition. For 3 consecutive 
years, the Shawnee Mission North NJROTC, under the leadership and 
guidance of Chief Warrant Officer 4 Dennis C. Grayless, USMC (Ret) and 
Chief Petty Officer Christopher W. Neven, USN (Ret), has qualified to 
compete in the prestigious NJROTC National Academic, Athletic and Drill 
Championship hosted by the Navy League of the United States at the 
Pensacola Naval Air Station, Pensacola, FL. The NJROTC Nationals, or 
``Navy Nationals'' as it is affectionately referred to by the 
participants, is the most comprehensive test of overall JROTC training 
and performance in existence today. The Nation's finest NJROTC units 
from each of the 11 Navy Areas participate in this two-day academic, 
athletic, and drill competition. There is no competition in JROTC that 
provides a more comprehensive test of program quality.
  Earlier this year, the Shawnee Mission North team was recognized as 
the Area 9 Most Outstanding Unit after sweeping the NJROTC Area 9 
Championship Drill Team Competition. The team placed first in armed 
exhibition, unarmed exhibition, armed regulation, unarmed regulation, 
push-ups, curl-ups/sit-ups and in the 16 x 100 shuttle relay. While 
they placed second in the competition for Color Guard, 8 x 200 oval 
relay, academics, and personnel inspection. As 2008 Area 9 Regional 
Champion, the team qualified to return to the Navy Nationals for the 
third consecutive year.
  At the 2008 national competition, the Shawnee Mission North team 
placed first in the Nation in the Armed Regulation Drill and finished 
seventh in the overall competition. Cadet Dylan Warnick received 
individual honors by finishing third in the Nation in the male curl-up/
sit-up competition by completing 320 cadenced curl-ups/sit-ups in 5 
minutes. Cadet Bethany Krzesinski received individual honors by 
finishing sixth in the Nation in the female curl-up/sit up competition 
by completing 268 cadenced curl-ups/sit-ups in 5 minutes. While Cadet 
Michael Hoffman received individual honors by tying for fifth in the 
Nation in the male push-up competition by completing 114 cadenced push-
ups in 5 minutes.
  As reflected in the success achieved by the Shawnee Mission North 
NJROTC unit, it is apparent the breadth and depth of commitment, 
dedication, hard work, resolve and motivation each member of this team 
possesses. The Shawnee Mission North NJROTC unit has been recognized as 
a Naval Honor Unit (1992-1999), a Naval Distinguished Unit (2000, 2007, 
2008), recipient of the Unit Achievement Award (2003), a Chief of Naval 
Education and Training Unit (1988, 1989), the 2007 National Academic, 
Athletic and Drill Champions, and the 2008 Area 9 Most Outstanding 
Unit. Five of its graduating cadets have enlisted into the U.S. Armed 
Forces; one has been awarded an NROTC scholarship to attend Purdue 
University; and two cadets from the junior class have been accepted 
into the 2008 summer semester at the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD.
  Mr. President, I ask my distinguished colleagues in the Senate to 
join me in recognizing and congratulating the Shawnee Mission North 
Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps 2008 National Championship 
Team: Sara Atwood, Michael Barr, Jessie Biggs, Andrew Boyce, Amiee 
Busch, Robert Byrd, Matthew Carlyon, Bryan Chapple, Faith Cole, Amanda 
Fuller, Tyler Gearin, Darrell Hayes, Joshua Hoffman, Michael Hoffman, 
Alisyn Katsantones, Stacey Kennedy, Bethany Krzesinski, Lauren Lawson, 
Megan Lawson, Shelby McIntosh, Justin Manford, Kyle Middaugh, Timothy 
Oehlert, Philip Park, Brandon Patrick, Aaron Patterson, Jeremy Payne, 
Jersey Payne, Devin Root, Niklas Rueter, Djourdan Stephens, Aliana 
Swiercinsky, Brandon Ware, Dylan Warnick, Gregory Wynn, and Rachel 
Yearsley.

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