[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11268]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



 TRIBUTE TO THE ACADEMIC QUIZ BOWL TEAM FROM NORTHSIDE HIGH SCHOOL IN 
                          FORT SMITH, ARKANSAS

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                          HON. ASA HUTCHINSON

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 20, 2001

  Mr. HUTCHINSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the Academic 
Quiz Bowl Team from Northside High School in Fort Smith, Arkansas, who 
recently earned the title of National Quiz Bowl Champions. The students 
defeated a field of 64 teams last month to win the 15th Annual 
Scholastic Tournament of Champions in Chicago.
  The Grizzlies, led by Coach Larry Jones, have dominated the quiz bowl 
circuit this year--placing first in 10 out of 11 tournament 
appearances. Bringing home the national title has been a year-long 
quest for team captain Shawn Standefer and senior members Colin 
Drolshagen and my son, Seth Hutchinson; juniors, Ryan Marsh, Willie 
Reyenga and Jill Hoang.
  The team had a special chemistry from the very beginning as Shawn, 
Colin and Seth have been best friends since junior high school. The 
whole team has dedicated countless hours to studying everything from 
the classics to history to the latest developments in DNA.
  After the team won the state championship, I asked my son, Seth, what 
the plan was for the national competition. Seth replied that the team 
members all decided to give something up in order to concentrate on 
preparation for the national championship. I thought to myself, ``What 
do these teens value the most and are willing to sacrifice?'' Mr. 
Speaker, it wasn't television. It wasn't sports. My son told me they 
were going to give up their personal reading time!
  Like the members of the team, Coach Jones also sacrificed a great 
deal to bring home the title. Without extra compensation or 
recognition, Mr. Jones has gone the extra mile for this team. He has 
given up his afternoons, evenings, days, and weekends to help them 
train. He is a career-minded, student-oriented teacher who has made a 
difference in the lives of these young people. This team came to the 
table with a great deal of talent--but it was Mr. Jones who brought 
them together and inspired a team capable of competing at the national 
level.
  Mr. Speaker and fellow colleagues, please join me in congratulating 
the Northside High School Quiz Bowl team as they enjoy their reign as 
national champions. They have made their school, their town, their 
state and, especially their parents, proud.




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