Mary Claire Birdsong - high school student Mary Claire Birdsong was an advocate for nuclear energy and nuclear medicine for the first three years in high school. In her freshman year, she competed in national debate competitions recommending nuclear energy to improve the environment. She went to the national finals and finished in the top 10% of all debaters in the nation. She spent three years writing essays and doing interviews for the Go Nuclear website: go-nuclear.org. Her essays and tributes are posted on allaboutenergy.net. She conducted a video interview with one of the key nuclear engineers for the Argonne National Laboratory Integral Fast Reactor Program, Dr. John Sackett, and one written interview with a FELLOW of the National Academy of Engineering, Dr. Theodore Rockwell.
Mary Claire wrote a complex and eloquent poem dedicated to scientists and engineers in nuclear power on the occasion of Ted Rockwell’s 90th birthday. This is one of the most meaningful dedications to science and engineering beautifully written by a high school student. Life is amazing. Her writing style is powerful, passionate, clear and to the point. She describes her grade school debate experience this way: My partner and I were just little kids. At first, we would stand in front of a podium and utter profound things. The first year’s resolution was on reforming NATO. Me: “NATO is gooood.” Him: “Nuh-uuh.” The second year we progressed. Him: “Illegal immigration is wrong because the taxpayers can’t afford more people.” Me: “Well, that’s just hate speech.” We debated different resolutions each year. Ever so slowly, we progressed into more detailed and nuanced thinkers and speakers. Debate requires solid research, writing, and speaking skills. An airtight case filled with credible evidence doesn’t hurt. It also requires authentic passion and 'on your feet' thinking and responding. Debating something you do not believe in gets stale really fast. For readers who think debate is the last thing on their list of fun things to do - let me assure you it is not as hard as it looks. And, it is enjoyable - consider it an academic version of sword fighting. As a female, I can attest that you do not have to forgo your manners to achieve success. On the contrary, you will need to refine them to be most effective. Like most things, you get better with practice.
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