2008 Michigan Odyssey Scholarship Winners Announced Posted March 29, 2008

We are pleased to present the 2007-2008 Michigan Odyssey Scholarship winners:

Drew Hawkins – Forest Hills Central High School (Region 10)

Drew has competed in Odyssey of the Mind for 13 years. His first year was as a kindergartener. “(A)s I watched older teams’ solutions, I was awestricken,” he recalls. “My jaw dropped.” He attributes his Odyssey involvement with “the development of beneficial attributes such as ingenuity, perseverance, patience, confidence and quick thinking” and says they are an integral part of how he conducts his everyday activities.

Drew will attend the Michigan State University Honors College in the fall studying Business Administration with future goals of law school and a career in finance.

Shauna Henige – New Lothrop High School (Region 5)

“I’ve sewn a giant gingerbread man puppet, helped choreograph a dance between good and evil, and made Plexiglas sand timers in shapes that symbolize the seasons. I’ve hugged Dr. Sam and kissed a World Championship trophy.” So reminisces Shauna, who in her 12 years as an Odyssey participant has been on three Ranatra Fusca winning teams. She adds, “I have made endless and unforgettable memories. I’ve taken risks.”

Shauna’s next adventure comes this fall when she enters Grand Valley State University to pursue a degree in art and design. She plans to participate on a Div. IV Odyssey team on her way to becoming a high school art teacher.

Samantha Stamper - Corunna High School (Region 5)

“When I first began in this program in the sixth grade, I could barely talk to some of my own family let alone my new teammates,” Samantha recalls. My how things have changed. “I wouldn’t even recognize myself in the years prior to joining (Odyssey). And now I have little to no problem interacting with others… I plan to, in some way, work with people and help them... (T)his program has given me the communications skills I need to do so."

Samantha will enter Eastern Michigan University in the fall, majoring in Speech Pathology with a minor in Child Psychology with a goal to work with Down syndrome and autistic children.

Jennifer Campbell – Johannesburg-Lewiston High School (Region 3)

“Odyssey has tested my mind in ways that an ordinary school cannot offer,” says Jennifer, a six-year Odyssey veteran. For example, “(w)hat can you put together with two straws, a couple of pieces of tape, twenty toothpicks, and a kitchen sponge? Thinking of a solution to this question could be endless…” She adds, “Odyssey of the Mind has given me a chance to express myself and show people how different I can be.”

Jennifer plans to attend Lake Superior State University to pursue a license in nursing. She hopes to work as a nurse in Michigan.

Creativity Unlimited in Michigan, sponsor of the Odyssey of the Mind ^TM program in Michigan, awarded (4) $500 scholarships to graduating high school seniors in 2008.  Scholarship awards may be used for public, private or community colleges, universities and specialized schools or training programs. To be eligible, a candidate must be a graduating high school senior who has participated as an Odyssey of the Mind ^TM team member for at least two years.