[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 13] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages 17315-17316] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]PAYING TRIBUTE TO SPRING VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL ______ HON. JON C. PORTER of nevada in the house of representatives Wednesday, September 6, 2006 Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the students, faculty and administrators of Spring Valley High School in Las Vegas, Nevada, for their tremendous achievements in educational progress. Spring Valley High School opened in August 2004 as the first Smaller Learning Communities/Career Academy High School in the State of Nevada. Robert Gerye, principal of Spring Valley High School, developed a unique curriculum and educational design intended to prepare students for higher education while providing opportunities to explore possible career paths. The curriculum design provides an environment in which students can interact more effectively with teachers and administrators. Each grade level is housed in its own wing of the school and assigned an administrator and a counselor who will be with those students throughout their high school years. To further foster educational growth and individualized student attention, every staff member at Spring Valley High School is assigned approximately 20 students to mentor as they advance from 9th to 12th grade. The format establishes a greater level of coordination between teachers in each grade level, increased collaboration with the local post-secondary institutions and rigorous academic standards intended to help students graduate with the preparation necessary to excel in college and in their chosen careers. Although Spring Valley High School is worthy of recognition for many reasons, I wish to recognize Spring Valley High School today for its tremendous improvement under the standards set by the No Child Left Behind Act. As a brand-new school in the 2004-2005 school-year, Spring Valley High School faced many challenges. It was classified on the 2004-2005 Accountability Report as a school which did not demonstrate Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). As a result of Mr. Gerye's tremendous leadership, his faculty's commitment to their goals, and his students' determination to succeed, Spring Valley High School not only met the Adequate Yearly Progress criteria this year, it has been classified in the 2005-2006 Accountability Report as a High Achieving--Growth institution. The administration, faculty and staff at Spring Valley High School have approached their goals with discipline and determination and, as a result, they have enhanced both the academic experience and performance of its students. For the incredible contribution they have made to the success of Spring Valley High School, I would like to commend the following individuals: Walt Acra, Larry Adams, Sheila AIi, Lisa Ancona, Carlose Arellano, Rica Arenas, Jennifer Ashford, Joyce Bakkedahl, Teresa Barajas, Phanom Baravong, Ana Barnes, Bianca Bautista, Elaine Beller, Bibi Belloto, Louise Belviso, Christopher Bires, Robert Bloom, Donald Bohm, Christina Bolin, Liana Bolton, Marilee Botos, Shawn Boyle, Charles Branich, Susan Brewer, David Brooks, Elizabeth Brown, Valerie Bugni, Dawn Burns, Antonio Caiati, Paul Campbell, Heather Carroll, Daniel Casel, Charlotte Chapman, Bernard Chase, Holly Chidester, Douglas Clarke, Kathy Clemens, Vaunette Coache, Paulette Coleman, Ann Collum, George Comadena, Melissa Conley, Geraldine Conte, Laurie Daly, Eric DeAnda, Ann Deleuil, Patricia Delfs, Amy DeVaul, Paula Digerolami- Macon, Suzanne Dompierre, Melody Dubois, Anna Eapen, Sindy Eisen, Ann Elandt, Jeanette Engelhart, Diane Epstein, Sarah Federspiel, Karen Florence-Hopkins, LaVanda Ford, William Fouts, Victoria Franklin- Dillon, Thomas Fraiser, Rhonda Fritch, Jennifer Gallegos, Wanda Gambino, Anthony Gamboa, Richardo Garcia, Gail Garrett, Dean Gentuso, Michelle Gex, Robert Gillingham, Mamie Glorioso, Michael Gomez, Dennis Goode, Gayane Gulyan, William Hamilton, Sarah Hanes, Yuki Harada-Hart, Christopher Hendley, Edward Henry, Kevin Henry, Connie Hines, Caprice Houston-Bey, Rebecca Hutchings, Linda Idemoto, Lori Jackson, Rebecca Jackson, Tanya Jackson, Steven Jacobson, Jill Jaeger, Charles Janette, Margaret Jeffrey, Susan Jennings, Andrew Jennings, Emily Jensen, Brett Jeross, Shirley Jimenez, Bessie Lee Johnson, Deborah Johnston, Harlan Johnston, Karen Jolivette, Emily Jones, Yvette Kagan, Ethel Keck, Lisa Keith, Heather Kennedy, Lezlie Koepp, Joel Krautstrunkm, Morgan Krista!, Susan Kuehl, Denise Lauriano, Monica Lavelle, Wende Lestelle, Robert Leytham, Enrico Litterini, Peter Locatelli, Johnny Macon, Rosette Mare, Kyle Martin, Gary Mayers, Phillip McAlister, Brianne McElroy, Melinda McGill, John McLavy, Jr., Jackson Meeker, Frederick Meyer, Michelle Minggia, Kimberly Moody, Dawn Moore, Robert Murphy, Elonda Murray, Amy Murray, Rachelle Nearn, Jane Newton, Richard Niemczewski, Amy Nugent, Michael O'Brien, Michael Oliver, Serene Oppenheim, Rebecca Pappas, Chrissy Paradiso, Iretta Pearson, Joe Peck, Evan Politi, Debbie Pope, Shannon Powell, Jeffrey Pynter, Dennis Pumphrey, Louis Reale, Efrain Rene, Shirley Reuben, Susan Rheinwald, Tyra Riefler, Roberto Rodriguez, Jeffrey Rubin, Ian Salzman, Adam Sampson, Angelica Sanchez, Elizabeth Sandelin, Daniel Schantol, Christina Schenauer, Nikki Semmelroth, Nicholas Sevano, Paul Shapiro, Susie Shepley, Donald Shumaker, Debbie Simons, Brant Smith, Marion Smith, Jr., Mitchell Sperling, Gregory Stack, John Staples, Heather Stringham, Jen Strobel, Robert Stropky, Jr., Cindy Taylor, Marcus Teal, Jeanine Tegano, Jennifer Tichon, James Tippett, Bonnie Toth, Justin Truitt, Leota Tucker, Travis Underwood, Becky Utchel, Nayelee Villanueva, Clara Virga, Lynn Wentland, Stacey White, Yvette White, Deborah Whitt, Michael Williams, Sabrina Woodruft: Dave Yacubovich, Kenneth Young, Suzanne Ziegler, Emily Zierse, and Lee Zigan. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to honor Robert Gerye and his extraordinary staff at Spring Valley High School for the exceptional [[Page 17316]] progress they have made this year. Their tireless efforts to exceed the achievement standards set by the No Child Left Behind Act have made a profound difference for the students who attend Spring Valley High School. I applaud this outstanding achievement and I look forward to seeing Spring Valley High School and its students continue to excel in our community. ____________________