[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 51 (Thursday, March 26, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S2036]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      CONGRATULATING JUSTICE BEST

 Mr. HELLER. Mr. President, today, I wish to congratulate 
Justice Best on being chosen as a second prize winner in C-SPAN's 
national 2015 StudentCam competition. Ms. Best is a junior at Spanish 
Springs High School in Sparks, NV, and was one of 5,000 students in 45 
States to compete. This was the largest amount of participants to ever 
enter the contest since it began 11 years ago. The competition allowed 
for middle school and high school participants and required the 
students to make a 5- to 7-minute documentary responding to this 
statement: ``The Three Branches and You: tell a story that demonstrates 
how a policy, law, or action by either the executive, legislative, or 
judicial branch has affected you or your community.'' Students were 
chosen based upon how well their videos demonstrated research and 
planning and upon their ability to include a diverse range of expert 
interviews on the topic. Last, judges paid close attention to the 
students' ability to demonstrate critical thought on their topics.
  Ms. Best chose an important topic pertinent to Nevada on both a State 
and Federal level: the greater sage grouse endangered species listing. 
Throughout the documentary, she presented the two sides of the issue by 
interviewing professionals and locals with knowledge on the topic and 
concluded that listing the greater sage grouse as an endangered species 
would be detrimental to the Nevada economy. Ms. Best was one of 16 
second prize winners, earning a total of $1,000. She is a shining 
example of how hard work and dedication result in success and stands as 
a role model for future Spanish Springs Cougars.
  I am excited to see a local student bringing recognition to both 
Nevada and to Spanish Springs High School for her advancement in a 
national competition. She should be proud to call herself a top 
contender in a competitive environment. I ask my colleagues to join me 
and all Nevadans in congratulating Ms. Best for her efforts and 
honorable representation of Nevada.

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