[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 17 (Thursday, February 2, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E122]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  IN CELEBRATION OF EASTHAMPTON HIGH SCHOOL'S SUCCESS IN THE ``WE THE 
                          PEOPLE'' COMPETITION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. RICHARD E. NEAL

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 2, 2012

  Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge and celebrate the 
victory of the Easthampton High School's AP United States History class 
in the statewide ``We the People'' academic competition held recently 
at Harvard University. The team skillfully answered a series of 
eighteen difficult questions relating to American government on their 
way to prevailing over a number of highly qualified competitors across 
Massachusetts. The team has now earned the distinction of representing 
the Commonwealth in the National Finals in April of this year.
  Easthampton High School's team was led by teacher Kelley Brown, who 
has gone above and beyond the call as an academic instructor to be a 
skillful coach for her class in this competition. The outstanding 
knowledge of United States History displayed by her class is a 
testament to the value of quality teachers in the Massachusetts public 
school system. The victorious students included Taylor Dadmun, Tristan 
Koopman, Brianna LaRose, Zachary Lewis, Bayleigh Murphy, Michael 
Palaschak, Thomas Palaschak, Willow Ross, Felicia Therrien and Olivia 
Tones.
  I am tremendously proud of Easthampton High School's academic 
achievements. Strong civic education is the foundation of our 
representative democracy and these students have exemplified the finest 
qualities of informed citizenship. I wish them the best of luck in the 
25th Annual National ``We the People'' competition here in Washington 
DC this April.

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