Today is a great day for me because I have the distinct pleasure to introduce you some students from my alma mater, Shawnee Mission North High School. My wife and I live less than a mile from the High School.
In addition, I would like to invite Representative Neighbor, Representative Storm, Representative Huntington, and Representative Judy Morrison to join me in honoring our guests today since these Shawnee Mission North students collectively may live in the all of our House Districts.
In just a few weeks, all across Kansas, our Kansas high schools will graduate thousands of senior students from the Class of 2007. These students are our future. I love young people. I’m passionate about them …
Researchers and authors Neil Howe and William Strauss recently wrote a book titled “Millennials Rising: The Next Great Generation”
Here’s what they say, and I quote “As a group, millennials are unlike any other youth generation in living memory. They are more numerous, more affluent, better educated, and more ethnically diverse. More important, they are beginning to manifest a wide array of positive social habits that older Americans no longer associate with youth, including a new focus on teamwork, achievement, modesty, and good conduct. Only a few years from now, this can-do youth revolution will overwhelm the cynics and pessimists. Over the next decade, the Millennial Generation will entirely recast the image of youth from downbeat and alienated to upbeat and engaged–with potentially seismic consequences for America.” (end quote)
Today, I’d like to introduce you and ask you to join me in honoring a group of can-do Kansas youth whose teamwork, achievement and good conduct have caused them to be nationally recognized.
These young men and women are from Shawnee Mission North High School and are members of the NJROTC. Their accomplishments this school year are overwhelming. In September, after a grueling competition they were crowned overall Squad Challenge Champions. In December they traveled to Springfield, Missouri for a JROTC Drill Meet. There, against 22 other schools they were crowned the Overall Meet Champions. In February they competed in the NJROTC National Championship Western Regionals in New Mexico – competing against 12 other teams – there they were crowned the Western Regional Champions for the second year in a row and qualified for the National Championship in Pensacola, FL. These students were among 23 schools out of approximately 625 schools who qualified for the National Championship competition. During the two day competition, the Shawnee Mission North students competed in four major areas. Close Order Drill, Athletics, Academics and Personal Inspection. They just returned last week, and my friends, standing before you today are the 2007 National Drill Champions! They are: Travis Peckman, Amanda Renyer, Devin Root, Niklas Rueter, Alexander Abramovitz, Justin Manford, Brian Babin, Sarah Bausch, Heath Helmer, Kevin Snyder, Michael Hoffman, Brandon Patrick, and Dylan Warnick.
The entire team of 38 is on the Capitol grounds today. I’d like to make special recognition of Dylan Warnick and Bethany Krzesinski. Both Dylan and Bethany have the distinguished honor of placing 3rd in the nation … in the total number of sit-ups in a 5 minute period!
I believe that these young people represent the next great generation and I’m pleased to honor them today.
In addition, leading this national drill champion Shawnee Mission North NJROTC squad is Chief Warrant Officer Dennis Grayless and Chief Chris Neven. The principal of the school is Mr. Tony Lake, and Dr. Gene Johnson is the Associate Superintendent of Shawnee Mission Schools overseeing the secondary schools.
As a special treat today, the team will be performing their nationally award winning drill – on the concrete apron at the base of the South steps of the Capitol at 12:30. Two weeks ago, I witnessed their show as it was presented before their peers in a high school assembly and I can attest -- their show is breathtaking.
Please join me in congratulating the
National Drill Champion Shawnee Mission North NJROTC.
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