[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 74 (Wednesday, May 11, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E676]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          A TRIBUTE HONORING WALLACE COMMUNITY COLLEGE--SELMA

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                          HON. TERRI A. SEWELL

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 11, 2016

  Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
hidden jewel in Alabama's 7th Congressional District--Wallace Community 
College of Selma, Alabama.
   Wallace Community College--Selma is a stellar two-year institution 
that provides incredible educational opportunities to students of 
Dallas County and across the Black Belt of Alabama.
   Now more than ever, America needs greater innovation in our 
educational system to meet the increasingly demanding needs of 
tomorrow. Outstanding higher education institutions in the State of 
Alabama are producing some of our state's and nation's best and 
brightest who will lead us into the next era of American cutting-edge 
technology, research, business leadership, entrepreneurship, science 
and innovation.
   Wallace Community College--Selma (WCCS) is leading that charge in my 
district through its dual-enrollment program which allows high school 
students to complete college courses and graduate with a high school 
diploma as well as an associate degree from this junior college. In 
2008, Wallace Community College--Selma graduated 31 students from the 
Selma Early College High School (ECHS), which was the first of its kind 
on a college campus in the state of Alabama.
   The 2016 graduation class will include 22 dual enrollment students 
including 20 students that participated in a special partnership with 
Tuskegee University. The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) program 
with Tuskegee allowed WCCS to increase the participation of 
underrepresented minority students from Alabama's Black Belt counties 
in the important fields of science and research. The Howard Hughes 
Medical Institute dual enrollment program offers high school students 
an opportunity to take classes at WCCS and Tuskegee and graduate with 
their high school diploma as well as an associate degree in science.
   Mr. Speaker, the dual-enrollment program at Wallace Community 
College-Selma is accomplishing what it set out to do--giving Dallas 
County high school students a head start on college. The benefits of 
this important opportunity are immeasurable. Cutting the cost and time 
spent in College while providing high school students significant 
exposure to the types of classes and fields of interest that will give 
them an important advantage and jump start on their peers.
   Collaborations like these are so critically important to our youth 
gaining invaluable educational experience while obtaining college 
credit through dual-enrollment. America must encourage more of these 
types of efforts as we seek to lead the world in educating our people 
and attracting a new generation of high-tech and high-paying jobs and 
careers--understanding that science and technology are critical to our 
nation's economic growth and sustainability.
   As the Member of Congress for the 7th Congressional District, I take 
great pride in working to offer solutions that will help lay the 
foundation for creating better-paying jobs, and for our education 
system to thrive into the future. In order to achieve this, we need 
innovative approaches to education and create a pipeline with our K-12 
school systems, community colleges and universities to provide the 
resources our students need to become the best trained workforce. Our 
children deserve our greatest effort and America deserves our best 
workforce.
   I am so proud to acknowledge today the tremendous efforts and 
outstanding programs offered at Wallace Community College--Selma which 
exemplify the invaluable role our two-year institutions serve in our 
communities. This college's leadership and innovation in creating a 
21st century learning environment is to be greatly commended. What a 
jewel to have serving our students in the Black Belt of Alabama. I am 
proud to represent a district that cares so greatly for the future of 
the community and the future of this great nation.
   Mr. Speaker, I want to commend Dr. James Mitchell for his tremendous 
leadership as President of WCCS. The faculty, administrators and 
students of the WCCS are truly outstanding.
   This Friday, May 13, 2016 is graduation day at Wallace Community 
College--Selma. I want to congratulate the entire class of 2016 and 
especially acknowledge the academic achievement of the 22 dual 
enrollment students who will receive a special congressional 
commendation. HHMI Students: Lekeybriana Allen, Connor Blackmon, Ronnie 
Caver, Brian Crum, Shaqueria Dial, Lauren Ellis, Khamari Gibbs, Kiara 
Horton, Kalissa Johnson, Kaylin Jordan, Thomas Kendrick, Walter 
Kendrick, Will Kendrick, Brandon Oliver, LaDaria Shorts, Epiphany 
Simmons, Khadijah Simmons, Alexis Walker, Marketa Williams, Alanna 
Young. Dual Enrollment Students: Tyniquea Edwards, and Tori Hatfield.
   I would also like to acknowledge the tremendous achievements of the 
Wallace Students who were Alabama Skills USA Winners: Jonniece 
Collins--First Place in Masonry and was the first woman in the state of 
Alabama to win this honor. Other winners included Roderick Perkins--
Second Place Masonry, Terrence Campbell--Third Place Masonry and 
Francis Phillips--Second Place Cosmetology in the Men's Hair Design 
Competition. I want to recognize the outstanding athletic achievements 
of Ki'Onna Likely who was the 2015-16 Alabama Community College 
Conference Player of the Year as well as NJCAA Second Team All-
American.
   Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring all the 
accomplishments of the outstanding students and graduates of Wallace 
Community College--Selma and to praise the leadership of Dr. James 
Mitchell and the hardworking staff and faculty of WCCS.
   Congratulation to the Graduating Class of 2016--I wish you the very 
best in all your future endeavors. We are counting on you to make 
difference.

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