Annis Outlaw Halvorson

Florida-based marathoner Annis Outlaw Halvorson cared for her children as an at-home mom. One has graduated from Georgetown Law, while the other is on the Dean's List at George Washington University. During her daughters' school years, Annis Halvorson coached their teams for Future Problem Solving Program International, Inc., leading them to district and state championships 17 out of 18 years. Founded by Dr. E. Paul Torrance, Future Problem Solving Program International invites young people to expand their problem-solving skills and civic mindedness by developing solutions to global issues. During the 2013-2014 academic year, Future Problem Solving Program International selected four topics for its participants to focus on to earn placement in the international conference. The first problem was Social Isolation; competitors had to consider whether the Internet and other forms of technology enhance or diminish sense of community. Another problem, Desertification, involved human activities transforming environments into arid, dry lands. After that, the competition presented the qualifying problem Surveillance Society, focusing on concerns regarding the prevalence of security cameras in both private and public sectors. Among the issues participants considered were questions about who controls collected data, and how to find balance between safety and privacy. The final topic of the year, Land Transportation, explored past, present, and future vehicles. Competitors pondered the efficiency of hybrids, potential new sources of fuel, and advancements in commuting.