Norcross High Students Win International Competition

Students from won a number of top awards at a recent annual international competition aimed at engaging students in creative problem solving.

Competing Norcross students in the Future Problem Solving International Conference June 7-10 at the Indiana University in Bloomington, Ind., were:

• Allison Fisher
• Michelle Fisher
• Julien Gelly
• Sarah Hensey
• Claire Della Mahon
• Elizabeth Waid

Allison Fisher, a rising senior at Norcross High, was named Grand Champion of the Senior Division Global Issues Individual Competition with her 1st place finish.

Michelle Fisher, a rising sophomore, won 4th place in the Middle Division Global Issues Individual Competition. 

Julien Gelly, Sarah Hensey, Claire Della Mahon and Elizabeth Waid, also rising sophomores, represented Georgia in the Middle Division Global Issues Team Competition. 

In the competition, students researched real-world concerns (the topic for the International Competition was Pharmaceuticals) and applied a rigorous six-step problem-solving process to explore challenges and propose action plans to complex societal problems. 

Additionally, they prepared a creative and entertaining presentation to explain the action plan generated by the team during the written problem-solving competition. 

The International Conference featured four days of stimulating competitive problem solving, cooperative educational seminars, and social activities.

Some 2,400 students and coaches attended the FPS International Conference. Top problem solvers from 39 states plus Australia, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, China, Portugal, Singapore, Great Britain, South Africa, Switzerland and Turkey attended.

Future Problem Solving Program International engages students in creative problem solving. Founded in 1974 by creativity pioneer Dr. E Paul Torrance, FPSPI stimulates critical and creative thinking skills and encourages students to develop a vision for the future. More information on the Future Problem Program can be found at: www.fpspi.org

Editor's note: Peachtree Corners resident, Diane Fisher, submitted this news and photo for publication.