[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 37 (Tuesday, February 25, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1153-S1154]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 RECOGNIZING THE WEST FARGO PACKATAHNAS

 Mr. CRAMER. Madam President, the West Fargo, ND, dance team, 
the Packatahnas, has returned home from the National Dance Team 
Competition in Florida as national high kick champions.
  This comes after winning championship titles competing this year with 
the Class A Large Varsity schools in North Dakota. It is always cause 
for celebration when students bring home a championship title, but this 
year's award is one of several the team has won.
  After more than eight high kick first place finishes at the State 
level in the past 25 years, the Packatahnas were back-to-back national 
champions in 2006 and 2007. Now 14 years later and after finishing 
ahead of 22 other national teams, it has been especially meaningful for 
these teammates to place another trophy in the school's award case.
  The passion, dedication, and time the Packatahnas devote to their 
dance team season rival that of other high school student athletes. For 
several hours every day, they first work to develop their routines. 
Then it is practice, practice, and more practice until they are ready 
for competition.
  At their side throughout this year was their coach, Shayla Pennick, 
whom they credit for her commitment to them in this successful season. 
Shayla knows the thrill they feel as champions because she competed 
with

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the team when the Packatahnas finished at the top 14 years ago. She 
deserves recognition and thanks for sharing her time and talents to 
help another team go as far as her high school team did.
  Madam President, I join the West Fargo High School, the city of West 
Fargo, and the rest of North Dakota in congratulating these talented 
Packatahnas for finishing their season as champions. They are an 
inspiration to all of us by demonstrating the good that can come from 
combining a passion for excellence with plenty of hard work.

                          ____________________