"Mississippi Teams Win Dell, Inc. Solar Car Contest"

The Clarion-Ledger
July 27, 2007

MISSISSIPPI TEAMS Choctaw Central High School Team members: Tia Anderson (captain), Caleb Willis, Rusty Chapman, Appallonia Clemons, Amber Sampson, Liberty McMillan, Trisilla Willis, Norma-Chae' Isaac, Lynjorae Williams, De'jorae Williams, Tarica Thomas, Colton Wilson, Dakota Farve, Joshua Denson and Rick Wilson Team advisors: Joey Long, Jason Roberson and Liddia Hughes Houston Vocational Center Team members: Leigh Anna Springer (captain), Paige Lancaster, Alisha Holder, Jodie Watkins, Brooke Shankie, Ericka Medders, Paige Smith, Hilary Hancock, Jeri-Laken Alexander, Tyler Davis, Patrick Pearson, Lance Whitworth, Caleb Alford Clay Fisackerly, Austin Marshall Blake McCoy, Josh Griffin and Jayla Alexander Team advisors: Keith Reese & Beverly James Newton County Career & Technical Center Team members: Jonathan Federick (captain), Mickey Skinner, Brandon Hughes, Casey Shoemaker, Tyler Peebles, Craig Kelly, Billy Yelverton, Ellen McCaskill, Tyler Davis and Tyler Laird Team advisors: Stacy Addy, Ricky Wyatt and Aaron Cooley Keys Technology Center Team members: Caydee Riser (captain), Brandon Rice, Matthew Johnson, Robert Schuman, Isaac Baylis, Jacob Yeagar, Alexander Jewess, Austin Handler, Jordan Lewis, Trey Tinsley and Daniel Watts Team advisors: Jason Smith & Scotty Nichols

Four groups of Mississippi high school students competed in the Dell-Winston School Solar Car Challenge that ended Tuesday, including two teams that brought home first-place honors in their respective divisions.

The Newton County Solar Car Team from the Newton County Career & Technical Center in Decatur took first in the Classic Division, followed by the Ocean Springs Solar Team from the Keys Technology Center in Ocean Springs.

The Houston Solar Race Team from the Houston Vocational Center in Houston tied for first place in the Open Division with a team from Newburgh, N.Y. The CCHS Solar Car Project from Choctaw Central High School in Choctaw was awarded third place.

Jason Smith and Scotty Nichols of the Ocean Springs Solar Team also received the Randall Murphy Award, presented to teachers who best demonstrate the spirit of solar racing.

The Houston Solar Car Team was the winner of the Texas State Conservation Energy Office Award, the prize for sportsmanship.

The challenge, a part of the Winston School in Dallas, was created 10 years ago to help motivate students in science and engineering and to teach high school students how to build practical solar cars. On odd-numbered years, competing teams drive cross-country to share their projects.

The 2007 challenge took teams across the eastern United States, starting from Dell Headquarters in Round Rock, Texas, on July 16 and finishing in New York.

For details, go to www.winstonsolar.org/challenge.