[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 146 (Thursday, November 15, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1769-E1770]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING HOPE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN HOPE, MAINE

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                          HON. CHELLIE PINGREE

                                of maine

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 15, 2012

  Ms. PINGREE of Maine. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate a 
school in my district for being selected by the U.S. Department of 
Education as one of only 269 Blue Ribbon Schools nationwide this year.
  With 176 students in kindergarten through eighth grade, Hope 
Elementary in Knox County, Maine, is a small school doing big things. 
Foremost, the school has consistently met high standards of academic 
excellence. In itself, this achievement is worthy of honors.
  But Hope Elementary has also excelled in teaching lessons in 
leadership. The school has an active student council, a leadership 
group that focuses on community service, and a culture where older 
students are expected to be leaders for their younger peers. Moreover, 
staff and administration set a strong example of collaboration. 
Immersed in this kind of environment, Hope students learn from an early 
age the importance of working together to move the whole community 
forward. This is an essential lesson for our next generation of 
leaders, and I truly appreciate the school's commitment to fostering 
it.
  Being named a Blue Ribbon School is a prestigious honor, and the 
entire Hope Elementary community should be proud. This achievement 
belongs to the administration, teachers, students, families, and town 
as a whole. I am proud to have this excellent school in my district and 
they have my warmest congratulations.

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