[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 9046-9047]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                             GINA CALABRESE

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CHRISTOPHER S. MURPHY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 13, 2011

  Mr. MURPHY of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a great 
woman and constituent, Gina Calabrese. Ms. Calabrese is the principal 
of the Rotella Interdistrict Magnet School in Waterbury, Connecticut, 
and was recently honored as the National Principal of the Year by the 
Magnet Schools of America. This award is presented annually to an 
exemplary school leader who has created and fostered innovative 
academic and extracurricular programs in magnet schools.
  The students of the Rotella Magnet School and the community of 
Waterbury as a whole are fortunate to have a leader like Gina 
Calabrese, and I am proud that the Rotella School is in my district. 
Her dedication to education and her students is remarkable. In fact, 
largely because of Ms. Calabrese's leadership, the Rotella 
Interdistrict Magnet School was also honored in 2008 with the Magnet 
Schools of America's Dr. Ronald P. Simpson Distinguished Magnet Schools 
of Excellence.

[[Page 9047]]

  Ms. Calabrese has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to 
innovation and education, and her efforts have raised the bar for 
magnet schools and educational institutions in Connecticut and across 
the country. Gina's achievements represent the highest dedication to 
success, and I am proud to recognize her contributions here today.
  Although the Rotella School only opened in 2000, it has quickly 
distinguished itself as one of the best Magnet Schools in the country. 
It embodies a dedication to a holistic education that incorporates a 
strong academic program and an emphasis on the performing and visual 
arts. This approach combines the most valuable aspects of the arts--
self-expression, creativity and practice--with academics, leading to a 
unique and valuable student experience.
  On behalf of the people of Waterbury, I want to congratulate Ms. 
Calabrese for this award and thank her for her tireless efforts to 
educate the future leaders of Connecticut.

                          ____________________