[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 130 (Thursday, July 23, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4466-S4467]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO SAMANTHA HOWER

 Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, today I have the privilege to honor 
Samantha Hower, the Lee County Teacher of the Year from Mariner High 
School in Cape Coral, FL.
  Samantha is the Visual Arts Teacher at Mariner High School and has 
worked for 7 years in the Lee County School District. Under Samantha's 
leadership, the school's STEM Academy has become the STEAM Academy, 
with an art curriculum added to science, technology, engineering, and 
math. She also began the school's first National Art Honor Society and 
supports nearby elementary and middle school art programs.
  Samantha holds that an education is able to transform a child's 
entire life. She urges her students to ask the question why: Why do 
they like something, and why do they do what they do? She does this 
until they begin to ask these questions themselves. When this happens, 
Samantha knows they have found comfort in taking risks.

[[Page S4467]]

  While Samantha always wants her students to do their best and earn 
good grades, she strives for them to walk out of her classroom knowing 
how to think and respond to circumstances with prudence. Since opening 
her advanced placement classes to all students 2 years ago, her 
students have produced the highest AP 2D studio art scores in the 
school district. Her goal is to prepare her students for college and 
careers through gaining experience and developing skills above and 
beyond their peers.
  I am pleased to recognize Samantha for her hard work. I extend to her 
my warmest regards, and I look forward to hearing of her continued 
success in the years ahead.

                          ____________________