[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8773]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 GADSDEN HIGH SCHOOL, RECIPIENT OF THE COLLEGE BOARD 2005 INSPIRATION 
                                 AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. STEVAN PEARCE

                             of new mexico

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 5, 2005

  Mr. PEARCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the 
accomplishments of an extraordinary New Mexico school. Gadsden High 
School in Anthony, New Mexico is the recipient of the College Board 
2005 Inspiration Award. In its tireless pursuit of student success, 
Gadsden High School has seen a remarkable increase in Advanced 
Placement course enrollment and those taking the SAT, and record 
numbers of students are enrolling in and attending college.
  Gadsden High School has helped students achieve equitable access to 
higher education despite social, economic and cultural challenges. It 
has made significant strides in exposing its students to higher 
education options and opportunities. One example of the school's 
ingenuity in this endeavor is a pre-college program called MESA that 
focuses on math, engineering and science. Students who achieve core 
requirements may earn up to $1,000 in college tuition, which some 
admitting colleges and universities elect to match.
  In addition to the progress Gadsden High School has made in helping 
its seniors search and apply for scholarship opportunities, the school 
supports a summer camp for grades 9-12 to address college questions and 
planning. The staff also plans to develop an Applying to College 
Handbook to promote greater parental involvement. These efforts have 
resulted in an exceptional 57 percent matriculation rate, 98 percent of 
whom are first-generation college attendees.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to congratulate Gadsden High School on this 
well-earned distinction and express my gratitude for the leadership and 
innovation they have demonstrated. I commend Gadsden High School for 
the hard work they continue to perform, and I am proud to recognize 
Gadsden High School--a true model of commitment to higher education--
today before my colleagues.
  Gadsden High School's motto puts it best by saying ``Believe, hope 
and look for miracles.'' With an unwavering will to overcome adversity 
and find creative solutions, Gadsden High School is working to create 
its own ``miracles.''

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