[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 74 (Thursday, May 14, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1150]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       IN TRIBUTE TO MOORPARK HIGH SCHOOL ACADEMIC DECATHLON TEAM

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                          HON. ELTON GALLEGLY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 14, 2009

  Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I rise in tribute to the Moorpark High 
School Academic Decathlon Team, who recently returned from Memphis, 
Tennessee, as the 2009 National Academic Decathlon Champions.
  It is the second consecutive national championship for the Moorpark 
High School team and the fourth national championship for the school in 
the past 10 years.
  Team members Kris Sankaran, Marlena Sampson, Danielle Hagglund, Sarah 
Thiele, Zyed Ismailjee, Neil Paik, Sol Moon, Scott Buchanan and Michael 
Fantauzzo are now recognized as the best and the brightest in the 
country. They are the pride of their school, their community and their 
country.
  Kris Sankaran, a Moorpark High School senior, is the only holdover 
from last year's team. And, for the second consecutive year, he walked 
away from the competition with the country's highest individual score.
  Every team member medaled in at least one event. Kris took home seven 
individual medals. Danielle Hagglund took home six.
  These youngsters won by literally dedicating their lives to the 
challenge. The team gave up weekends, vacations, part-time jobs, and 
time with their families in their pursuit of excellence.
  Their coach, Larry Jones, worked as hard, if not harder, than his 
students and is as deserving of high praise. Coach Jones, who is now 
the spry age of 60, has coached all four 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--Kris Sankaran, Marlena Sampson, Danielle Hagglund, 
Sarah Thiele, Zyed Ismailjee, Neil Pails, Sol Moon, Scott Buchanan and 
Michael Fantauzzo--the 2009 U.S. Champion Moorpark High School Academic 
Decathlon Team.

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