[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 85 (Friday, May 27, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E814]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO SANDRA THORSTENSON

                                  _____
                                 

                         HON. LINDA T. SANCHEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 27, 2016

  Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
celebrate the lifelong service and success of Sandra Thorstenson, the 
Superintendent of Whittier Union School District, in my Congressional 
District in California.
  You could say that the Whittier Union School District is part of 
Sandra's DNA. After moving to Whittier at the age of five, Sandy went 
on to graduate from Whittier High School, attended Whittier College, 
and from there, launched a 39-year career as a teacher, principal, and 
Superintendent of the district.
  While I think Sandy's lifelong dedication to educating young people 
is reason enough to celebrate, I would be remiss not to mention the 
success that has made her a leader in improving education for low-
income students. Under her leadership, Whittier Union's motto has been 
``demographics do not determine destiny.'' The results of this attitude 
are clear. In a district with nearly 70 percent economically-
disadvantaged students, Whittier Union sports a 97 percent graduation 
rate and sends 95 percent of its students on for a higher education.
  Ms. Thorstenson embodies the kind of public servant and leader we 
need more of in education, someone who is unwilling to settle for 
anything less than success for every student in her district. It is in 
that spirit that, on behalf of all the families who've benefitted from 
her service, I wish Sandra a happy retirement and thank her for 
inspiring generations of students in the Whittier Union School 
District.

                          ____________________