[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 180 (Friday, December 11, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1779]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING RYAN CHESTER, WINNER OF THE BREAKTHROUGH JUNIOR CHALLENGE

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                         HON. JAMES B. RENACCI

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 11, 2015

  Mr. RENACCI. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate Mr. Ryan 
Chester for his accomplishment of being selected the winner of the 
Breakthrough Junior Challenge. Ryan is an extraordinarily talented 
senior from North Royalton High School, who competed against more than 
2,000 applicants from across the world. The Breakthrough Junior 
Challenge is a competition that invites students ages 13-18 to submit 
videos that explain science, physics, and math concepts.
  With a bowl of popcorn, a brilliant mind, and some very creative 
video-editing skills, Ryan created a capturing visual to explain 
Einstein's Special Theory in Relativity, and won first prize in this 
inaugural competition.
  As the winner of this competition, Ryan won a $250,000 scholarship, a 
$100,000 state-of-the art new science lab for North Royalton High 
School, and $50,000 for his AP Physics teacher Mr. Richard Nestoff. He 
also had the once in a lifetime opportunity to meet Facebook founder 
Mark Zuckerberg, whose Silicon Valley Community Foundation co-hosted 
the event.
  Ryan's ability to take his passion for both film and science and 
apply it in a setting outside of the classroom on his own accord should 
be encouraged in schools throughout the country. As a nation, we are 
committed to advancing our understanding of science and applying it in 
a way that can impact the lives of all man-kind. I know we are in good 
hands as we continue to lead the way in new scientific breakthroughs 
and innovations that will define the 21st century with young scientists 
like Ryan.
  It is with great admiration I ask my colleagues in the House to join 
me in congratulating Ryan on his achievement, and wish him the best 
with all of his future endeavors.

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