[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Page 8780]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     MENDOTA HIGH SCHOOL CHESS TEAM

 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I ask my colleagues to join me in 
congratulating the endota High School chess team on winning the 2011 
CalChess Premier Division State Championship in Santa Clara this April. 
The Mendota High School chess team worked tirelessly to become State 
champions and a source of great joy and pride to the people of Mendota 
and Fresno County.
  Mendota High School chess team coach, Vanness French, has been 
working with most of the members of the championship chess team since 
they were in the third grade. It was Coach French who gave the team its 
unique nickname, Knucklehead, a reference to the long-lasting cylinders 
on vintage Harley-Davidson motorcycles. The 2011 Mendota chess team 
certainly lived up to their expectations, never giving up as they 
defeated several higher rated opponents en route to claiming the State 
title.
  The members of the 2011 Mendota High School CalChess Premier Division 
State Championship include: Eduardo Alonso, Edwin Brioso, Joel 
Montalvo, Chrispen Reyes, Milton Arroyo, Luis Castillo, Julian Estrada, 
Lizzy Gonzales, Charle Ledesua, Sergio Mayares, Kevin Romero, Jessi 
Mendez, and Felipe Beltran.
  It is with great pride that I congratulate these students on an 
extraordinary accomplishment, and the hard work, dedication, and 
perseverance they showed in achieving it.
  As the Mendota chess team celebrates the 2011 CalChess Premier 
Division State Championship, I commend them a remarkable and memorable 
year and wish them continued success in their future 
endeavorse.

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