[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 80 (Thursday, May 31, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E935]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING ODYSSEY OF THE MIND OF CARROLL SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KENNY MARCHANT

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 31, 2012

  Mr. MARCHANT. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I recognize 
the Odyssey of the Mind teams of Carroll Senior High School for their 
winning the state championship in two categories this year.
  Odyssey of the Mind is a widespread program for students that 
develops team problem-solving and creative thinking. Grouped into 
teams, students spend many weeks working on solutions to long-term 
problems which they then present at competitions along with a short-
term problem and solution that they are given at the competitions. 
Odyssey fosters creativity by allowing students to choose from problems 
that each have multiple possible solutions.
  There were 115 teams participating in the Texas state competition 
this year and Carroll Senior High produced two teams that won state 
titles. Ann Dahl, Allison Newman, Braden Anderson, Christie Ballew, 
Spencer Lankford, Mackenzie Murphy and Jack Veenker earned the state 
title for Vehicular Problem-Solving and also the award for Most 
Creative team. The team was led by coaches Megan Anderson, Carl 
Anderson, and Shauna Newman. A second team, comprised of Jenna Buckley, 
Nico Scalzo, Emilie Featherston, Nathalie Scherer, Annie Newman, and 
Lindsey Weiss, won the state title for Technical Problem-Solving. Their 
coaches were Cindy Featherston and Micki Scalzo. In the course of their 
accomplishments, these students developed and demonstrated skills in 
creativity, dialogue, and teamwork.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the 24th Congressional District of Texas, I 
ask all of my distinguished colleagues to join me in congratulating the 
Carroll Senior High School Odyssey of the Mind Teams for their 
respective titles at the Texas state competition.

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