[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Pages 11711-11712]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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            RECOGNIZING WEST ANCHORAGE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

 Mr. BEGICH. Mr. President, I am proud to announce a class from 
West Anchorage High School represented the State of Alaska by winning 
national distinction at the National We The People: The Citizen and the 
Constitution National Finals. These outstanding students, through their 
knowledge of the U.S. Constitution, won Alaska's statewide competition 
and earned the chance to come to our Nation's Capital and compete at 
the national level.

[[Page 11712]]

  This competition involved a 3-day academic competition simulating a 
congressional hearing in which students demonstrate their knowledge and 
skills as they evaluate, take, and defend positions on historical and 
contemporary constitutional issues.
  The students from West Anchorage High School were the Nation's top 
performers in the competition's unit on How the Values and Principles 
Embodied in the Constitution Shaped American Institutions and 
Practices. This year is the 50th year of Alaska's statehood and while 
we may be one of the youngest States, the performance of these students 
is indicative of the unique contributions Alaska has made to America's 
institutions and practices.
  I had the distinction of meeting these students so it makes me even 
more proud to recognize them on behalf of the State of Alaska. The 
names of these outstanding students from West Anchorage High School 
are: Grace Abbott, Sinivevela Aho, Spencer Bailly, Gizelle Baylon, 
Colby Bleicher, Blake Young, Jacqueline Braden, Santina Chamberlain, 
Caitlin Cheely, Jon Derman Harris, Christa Eussen, Christina 
Hendrickson, Ryan Hunte, Terra Laughton, Logan Miller, Jasmine Neeno, 
Madeleine Overturf, Luke Park, Kassandra Smith, Krista Soderlund, 
Chelsea Thompson, Luicia Valencia, Stacy Wheeler, Sophie Wiepking-
Brown, Amanda Xayasane, and Ethan Zinck.
  I also commend the teacher of the class, Pamela Orme, who is 
responsible for preparing these young constitutional experts for the 
national finals. Also worthy of special recognition are Maida Buckley, 
the State coordinator, and Todd Heuston, the district coordinator, who 
are responsible for implementing the We the People program in Alaska.
  I congratulate these young ``constitutional experts'' on their 
outstanding achievement and for their proud representation of the State 
of Alaska.

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