[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 1203]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                      TRIBUTE TO TEXACO QUIZ KIDS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KAREN McCARTHY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 31, 2001

  Ms. McCARTHY of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I wish today to recognize 
three outstanding young women from my community, and the ongoing 
efforts of the Lyric Opera of Kansas City to heighten the awareness of 
the importance of art and culture by sponsoring dozens of programs for 
young people. Katherine Lorenz, Rebecca Mozley, and Amber Woodward were 
the three regional finalists chosen to participate in the 2000-2001 
Texaco Quiz Kids Program at Kansas City, Missouri's historic Lyric 
Opera.
  The Texaco Quiz Kids Program is a distinguished nationwide 
competition that brings together talented youth performing arts 
scholars from six regions of North America. Students take part in a 
rigorous quiz show format in which they are tested upon their knowledge 
and understanding of selected operas that they have studied in depth. 
At the regional round their expertise was called upon to interpret 
``Aida,'' ``Carmen,'' and ``The Magic Flute.''
  All three of the young women chosen to represent the Greater Kansas 
City Area have demonstrated exceptional musical scholarship and 
dedication to the appreciation of the performing arts. During the 
regional finals, each of these young scholars demonstrated a 
comprehensive understanding and knowledge of legendary operas from the 
19th Century. Each of their loves for the performing arts radiated from 
their impressive answers. They are representatives of the best our 
community has to offer.
  Katherine is a senior at Lawrence High School who is involved in a 
number of organizations. She is Co-Vice President of the FYI Club, 
Treasurer of the Key Club, and is also an active member of the French 
Club, National Honor Society, and the cultural heritage panel. She is a 
teacher's aide for AP European history this year and sings with the 
Concert Choir. She played basketball through her sophomore year, and is 
an avid basketball fan. Katherine has studied piano for nine years with 
Eric Sakamura, and is currently a lesson assistant at Lawrence Piano 
Studio. Katherine is a National Merit Semifinalist who will begin 
college this fall, who hopes to major in History, French, and Music.
  Rebecca Mozley is a senior at Raytown South High School. Rebecca 
loves to sing. She has been a member of Raytown South's Cardinal Choral 
her junior and senior years and has also sung in the Kansas City All 
District Choir both years. She is a 2-year member of the National Honor 
Society, Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), and Future 
Teachers of America. This year she is President of SADD and is the 
cadet teacher for the Concert Choir Class. She is maintaining a 3.8+ 
GPA and plays the flute and French horn in the school band. Rebecca is 
also involved in church activities. She plays a handbell in the choir 
and sings in the teen choir. She also works in the nursery. Through her 
church, Rebecca has had the opportunity to go on mission trips to 
different parts of the country to paint and repair homes in low-income 
neighborhoods for the past four summers. At present, her plans are to 
attend Central Missouri State University next fall and major in either 
music education or elementary education.
  Amber Woodward is a dedicated student who is maintaining a 4.3 GPA 
while taking all honors courses in her freshman year at Blue Valley 
North High School in Overland Park, Kansas. Throughout her academic 
career she has won numerous good citizen and student awards. Through 
her participation in musical theater she has contributed time and 
effort to many charities. Amber has a love for the performing arts. She 
studies voice, dance, acting, and plays the clarinet and piano. Amber's 
devotion to the performing arts has led her to a detailed study of 
Opera. Amber is a coloratura soprano and hopes someday to pursue a 
career in Opera.
  It is an honor for me to recognize Katherine, Rebecca, and Amber on 
this notable accomplishment. I wish all three of these young women 
continued success in all of their personal and academic endeavors. Each 
of the two semi-finalists received $500 scholarships from Texaco. 
During Round II in Kansas City, Katherine Lorenz was selected to 
represent our region in the final round in Toronto at Canadian 
Broadcasting Center next month.
  Mr. Speaker please join me in congratulating Kansas City's 2000-2001 
Texaco Quiz Kids, Katherine Lorenz, Rebecca Mozley, and Amber Woodward. 
Also Mr. Speaker, please join me in saluting the Lyric Opera of Kansas 
City, Texaco, and each of these student's dedicated teachers: Cathy 
Crispino, Mary Bodney, and Judy Bowser for investing in our youth to 
help instill the heritage and value which the performing arts have 
played in shaping our society.

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