[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 98 (Wednesday, June 27, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1159]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING McKENZIE JoANN POLLOCK

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 27, 2012

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
phenomenal young woman, Ms. McKenzie JoAnn Pollock, daughter of Philip 
and Cheryl Pollock. Throughout her time in high school, McKenzie has 
been extremely devoted to both her academics and extracurricular 
activities.
  McKenzie's motivation to excel prompted her to do anything she could 
to ensure that she would be successful academically. In accordance with 
this, she took Advanced Placement classes throughout high school and 
she maintained all ``A's'' throughout her high school career. As a 
result of McKenzie's work ethic, she was rewarded numerous scholarships 
to college. She received the Lucky Day Citizenship Scholarship and the 
Choral Service Award from the University of Southern Mississippi, as 
well as the Best Buy Scholarship Award, the Mississippi Eminent 
Scholars Grant, and the Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant.
  Not only has McKenzie excelled academically, but she has also been 
heavily involved in numerous extra-curricular activities. She served as 
the Warren Central Hall of Fame Club President, Student Government 
Senior Class Secretary; was a member of the Mock Trial Attorney and 
Witness team, Mu Alpha Theta Society, Varsity Choir, the Band, Drama 
Club, School Musical, National Honors Society, Youth Advisory Council, 
and she worked with the Children of the American Revolution and 
Fundraising for the Children's Miracle Network. She also works for the 
U.S. Army Engineering Research and Development Center as a Civil 
Engineering Technician.
  McKenzie has competed in several competitions in addition to her 
other responsibilities. She was the Poetry Out Loud School winner in 
2009, and she has received the Gold Medal at the Mississippi Music 
Teachers' Association Evaluations (MMTA) and Federated Music Clubs of 
America for her singing. In 2011, McKenzie was crowned Miss Vicksburg's 
Outstanding Teen, and she went on to finish in the top ten in the Miss 
Mississippi's Outstanding Teen Scholarship Pageant.
  Per her interest in the performing arts McKenzie is an active theatre 
participant. She has performed in many productions at the Vicksburg 
Theatre Guild and the Westside Theatre Foundation. McKenzie strongly 
believes that the performing arts should be an integral part of a 
child's education, and she enjoys every opportunity that allows her to 
introduce children to the arts. During summer of 2011, she was an 
assistant instructor in the Southern Cultural Center's Spectrum summer 
arts camp, which allows children the opportunity to explore the arts.
  To culminate her high school career, McKenzie is honored to be named 
Valedictorian of the Warren Central High School's senior class of 2012. 
In the fall, McKenzie plans to attend the University of Southern 
Mississippi, where she will major in Music-Vocal Performance with a 
minor in dance.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask our colleagues to join me in honoring the 
Valedictorian of Warren Central High School's senior class of 2012, Ms. 
McKenzie Joann Pollock an outstanding young woman.

                          ____________________