Ravenwood senior Abby Goddard recognized in Senate for drink-testing device 'Spiky'

Nashville — The Tennessee Senate took a moment during floor introductions to recognize Abigail "Abby" Goddard, a Ravenwood High School senior who has developed a drink-testing device she calls "Spiky." Senator Campbell introduced Goddard and described her work as a local example of youth innovation with public-safety implications.

"Abby is a Ravenwood High School senior whose creativity, courage, and commitment to public safety have already produced measurable impact," Senator Campbell said on the floor. Campbell described how Abby, motivated after a family member was the victim of a drug-facilitated assault, partnered with pharmaceutical experts to design the key-chain style device, which Campbell said can detect certain substances in roughly 15 seconds.

Senator Campbell said the device has gained traction on college campuses and with nightlife patrons and that Abby has received local support from the Williamson County Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center. The senator noted revenue and orders discussed on the floor, and said Abby is preparing to scale from 3D printing to professional injection molding to increase durability and reach.

The floor record includes numerical references for distributed test strips and revenues that are unclear in transcription; the transcript records revenue of "over $30,000" and describes distribution of test strips but the exact quantity as spoken on the floor is not clearly transcribed. The article reports those figures as stated in the floor record and flags unclear numeric transcription for verification.

The Senate recognition was ceremonial and did not involve any formal legislative action. Abby Goddard was accompanied by family on the floor and was congratulated by members.