[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 10] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages 14417-14418] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]HONORING MATTHEW MAZGAJ FOR HIS ALL AROUND EXCELLENCE IN ACADEMICS AND ATHLETICS ______ HON. BRIAN HIGGINS of new york in the house of representatives Monday, June 27, 2005 Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the exemplary academic and athletic achievements Matthew Mazgaj. Matthew is one of those students who does not go unnoticed. This article as published in the Jamestown Post Journal pays tribute to an outstanding young man. Area Wrestler A Standout In and Out of Classroom (By Scott Kindberg) Richard Rybicki saw something special in Matt Mazgaj almost from the moment he met him on the first day of school in 1998. As his homeroom teacher at Southwestern Middle School, Rybicki was struck by Mazgaj's leadership skills, even as an ll-year-old sixth-grader. ``He was a standout in and out of the classroom as an elementary student and athlete,'' Rybicki said. Fast forward more than 6 years and nothing's changed. Mazgaj's work ethic and drive to excel, first seen by Rybicki in the late 1990s, continued throughout his tenure at Southwestern Central School. From the classroom to the football field and from his church to the wrestling mat, the Trojans senior has laid a blueprint for other students to follow. And somewhere Frank Hyde is smiling. Hyde, who was The Post-Journal sports editor for 34 years, valued the all-around excellence of young people. [[Page 14418]] ``Matt exemplifies the type of student athlete-scholar Frank Hyde admired most--those for whom participation in sports is an important part of the educational experience, but just a part,'' Post-Journal Editor Cristie Herbst said. ``He valued those students who also learned through participation in sports the lessons of good sportsmanship, fair play and determination to strive toward a goal. And as just as Matt has done, Frank believed that students should apply those values in all of their activities, in and out of school,'' Ms. Herbst said. Hyde, no doubt, would also be happy to know that Mazgaj is this year's recipient of the 21st annual Hyde Memorial Scholarship. The $1,000 scholarship, given by The Post-Journal, is awarded to the outstanding college-bound athlete from the newspaper's circulation area, which covers Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Warren counties. The scholarship was presented during an awards assembly at Southwestern Central School on Wednesday morning. Mazgaj has been accepted at Washington and Jefferson College, where he plans to major in biology and physics, and play football. ``I believe this type of an extensive education past high school is vital for an individual to succeed in our ever- advancing America today,'' Mazgaj wrote in an essay accompanying his scholarship application. Judging from his academic performance and extracurricular activities, Mazgaj is on his way to a successful college experience. Ranked 11th in his class with a 96 average, Mazgaj is a member of the National Honor Society, the Ophelia mentoring program and the math club; is an usher at Sacred Heart Church; and is a volunteer coach with the Southwestern Spartans midget football league team. Athletically, he turned in one of the finest careers in school history. In wrestling, he captured consecutive New York State Public High School Athletic Association small school championships in 2004 and 2005 at 215 pounds and shared the Ilio DiPaolo Scholarship this year. Along the way, Mazgaj, a two-year captain, posted a 130-28 career record, was the Division 1 wrestler of the year, and twice the 215-pound division and Section 6 champion. The Trojans were also successful as a team during Mazgaj's era, claiming a small-school state championship once, Section 6 championship twice and league championship three times. ``When I first met Matt I noticed that he had an incredible work ethic that far surpassed his peers,'' Southwestern coach Mark Hetrick said in his letter of recommendation. ``Matt was undefeated throughout middle school wrestling, but the thing that impressed me the most about this kid was his drive and motivation to get better. His hard work paid off.'' Former Southwestern wrestling coach Walt Thurnau is equally complimentary. ``He has always displayed the characteristics of a true gentleman,'' Thurnau said in his letter of recommendation. ``It doesn't matter if it's practice or competition, Matt is always respectful of his opponent or practice partner. He always treats everyone with respect and courtesy. ``Matt is very humble and would never brag about his accomplishments. If you didn't know that he was a two-time state champ, you would never learn it by listening to Matt. He still helps clean the mats and is always one of the last to leave the practice room.'' Mazgaj's devotion to wrestling is immense, but his first love is on the gridiron. A firstteam all-state linebacker, The Post-Journal co-Player of the Year and first-team all- Western New York selection last fall, Mazgaj led the Trojans to a 9-2 record and a Section 6 championship, the first sectional football title in school history. His impact, both on the field and in the classroom, was recognized when he was selected the Section 6 Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Statistically, Mazgaj, a two-year captain, holds team records for career tackles (357) and single-season tackles for a loss (22), and is tied for first in tackles in a season (133). ``I think the most important characteristic that Matt possesses is his character,'' Southwestern head football coach and government/economics teacher Jay Sirianni wrote in his letter of recommendation. ``Matt displays the attributes of a natural leader. He has integrity, loyalty, a strong work ethic, and he leads by example. In an era with few positive role models, Matt has been a positive role model to his classmates and younger students.'' Because of his considerable wrestling talents, Mazgaj could have continued his career at the Division I or Division II level. Instead, he chose to follow his heart and his true love--football. ``With making the decision to play football in college, I gave up substantial athletic scholarship financial aid,'' Mazgaj wrote. ``Washington and Jefferson is a Division III school, and because of this they cannot give athletic scholarships. This is why I am writing to you, to try and convince you to help me continue my athletic career in a sport that I have (proven myself) on the fields at Southwestern. ``The financial assistance will help to alleviate some of the stress developed from paying for college, then graduate, and maybe medical school.'' Then Mazgaj added one final sentence. ``Regardless of the monetary assistance, this award would, first and foremost, be an honor to receive.'' ``Matt Mazgaj is that exceptional student-athlete who comes around few times, if any, in a teacher's career,'' wrote Rybicki, who is also Southwestern's athletic director. ``Matt will definitely leave behind a legacy which has been forged by hard work, discipline and desire.'' I am honored, Mr. Speaker, to have an opportunity to honor this amazing young man. ____________________