[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 69 (Wednesday, May 6, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1077-E1078]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      RECOGNIZING THE 2009 RECIPIENTS OF THE MCGOWAN COURAGE AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM JORDAN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 6, 2009

  Mr. JORDAN of Ohio. Madam Speaker, seven high school students in my 
congressional district will be recognized on May 12 for their efforts 
to overcome physical, economic, and social adversities. I am pleased to 
join the Rotary Club of Mansfield in honoring the achievements of these 
McGowan Courage Award recipients:
  Kelby Lunsford, Crestview High School--Kelby has worked through 
numerous autism-related difficulties stemming from his premature birth. 
His work ethic, determination, and passion for reading and historical 
studies are an inspiration to his parents, teachers, and fellow 
students.
  Nathan Volz, Lexington High School--Faced at age 10 with the divorce 
of his parents, Nathan has long been tasked with helping to raise his 
younger brothers and assisting with

[[Page E1078]]

the family's finances. After attending a church youth retreat, he 
worked to overcome some of his own poor personal choices and become a 
model of integrity for others.
  Josh Teetsel, Lucas High School--Placed in a foster home after the 
death of his mother, Josh struggled to make the right choices in the 
face of pressure from friends. He has since turned his life around, 
earning the respect of his teachers and volunteering at the local fire 
department. Josh will soon enroll at Ohio's Hocking College.
  Joseph (Joey) Bennett, Madison Comprehensive High School--Coping with 
hearing and vision impairments and enduring several open-heart 
surgeries before age 2, Joey is an inspiration to everyone at his 
school, where he is an eager volunteer at sporting and other 
extracurricular activities. He recently completed Madison's auto tech 
training program.
  Ian Kent, Mansfield Christian High School--Various sleep disorders 
and other medical problems have slowed Ian's academic work, but he 
continues to persevere in his home studies. He enjoys volunteering at 
his church and at Mansfield's Kingwood Center, and looks forward to 
attending North Central State College.
  Leona Smith, Mansfield Senior High School--In just the last year, 
Leona has suffered from three collapsed lungs requiring surgery. 
Despite these setbacks, she has maintained a 3.6 grade point average in 
college prep courses and is on course to graduate a year early--all 
while working two jobs to support herself financially.
  Brandon O'Brian, Ontario High School--Brandon's positive attitude in 
working to overcome a cognitive disability is a model for his fellow 
students. In addition to his studies at Pioneer Career and Technology 
Center, he is an active member of the Mansfield Police Department's 
Explorer Post and works part-time at Ontario's Skyway Restaurant.

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