[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1365-E1366]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING WINTERSET MIDDLE SCHOOL FOR 2019 NATIONAL BLUE RIBBON 
                              SCHOOL AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CYNTHIA AXNE

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 29, 2019

  Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of 
Representatives to join me in recognizing Winterset Middle School in 
Winterset, Iowa for receiving a 2019 National Blue Ribbon School Award.
  The National Blue Ribbon School Award recognizes outstanding schools 
based on their educational environment, academic success, and closure 
of achievement gaps between student populations. Only four Iowa schools 
were chosen this year. Winterset Middle School serves just over 400 
students in 4th through 6th grades. Under Principle Wendy Sawyer, the 
school was nominated for and won the National Blue Ribbon Schools 
Program as an Exemplary High Performing School.
  Winterset Middle School prides themselves on their caring and 
supportive culture focused on student growth and development. Nine 
years ago when they first opened, Winterset Middle School was a 
``School in Need of Assistance''. Just shy of a decade later, they've 
shown what hard work and dedication can do by winning this award and 
making us proud. The faculty 's dedication to their profession and 
students has made them the exemplary school they are today. I am proud 
to be able to represent these teachers, educators, administrators, 
parents, and students in Iowa's 3rd District. The school attributes 
this hard-won victory to their close-knit community, research-based 
teaching strategies, and treating every child as their own--and I 
couldn't agree more.

[[Page E1366]]

  It is an honor to commemorate the outstanding achievement of 
Winterset Middle School. I have great respect and admiration for our 
educators and am particularly thankful for the strong foundation they 
are giving our kids. As the mother of two boys, I know that a quality 
education is crucial to success. I hope the well-rounded training and 
techniques they found successful in the classroom become a model for 
the district and the country.
  I applaud Winterset Middle School for their hard work and dedication, 
and I congratulate them on their success.

                          ____________________