House Resolution 100

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING DR. OSWAGO HARPER UPON EARNING THE ELITE HONOR OF ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR FOR THE GULFPORT SCHOOL DISTRICT.

WHEREAS, Dr. Oswago Harper, a life-long resident of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, has been named the Administrator of the Year for the Gulfport School District, in recognition of his abundance of hard work and unwavering dedication to providing an excellent education to his students; and

WHEREAS, after graduating from Gulfport High School in 1993, Dr. Harper attended Mid-Plains Community College in North Platte, Nebraska, where he excelled both on the basketball court and in the classroom, as he lettered as a member of the men's basketball team and also earned his associate of arts degree in 1995; and

WHEREAS, when his tenure at Mid-Plains came to a close, Dr. Harper attended the University of Tennessee at Martin, where he served as captain of the men's basketball team and earned a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice with a minor in sociology in 1998; and

WHEREAS, with years of academic and athletic accolades under his belt, Dr. Harper returned home to the Mississippi Gulf Coast and began his illustrious career in education, but consumed with a fervent desire to master the intricacies of his chosen profession, he earned a master of education degree from William Carey College in 2001 and a doctoral degree from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2005; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Harper currently serves as the principal of Gulfport High Ninth Grade School, a position he has held since the 2006-2007 school year, and he has also served as an adjunct professor of education at William Carey University; and

WHEREAS, filled with an eagerness to mold the impressionable minds of the younger generation, Dr. Harper has played a vital role in equipping the students in his school with the life lessons and wisdom that would be essential for each of them to reach their potential, fulfill their dreams and achieve greatness; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Harper is married to Dr. Tamara Walker Harper, who has been a pillar of support to him throughout his wonderful and accomplished career; and

WHEREAS, as a lifelong educator, Dr. Harper's cardinal guidance, devoted leadership and encouraging words constantly serve as an illuminated beacon of promise to the students, faculty and staff of the Gulfport High Ninth Grade School and the Gulfport School District, as he strenuously strives to ensure that the children entrusted to his tutelage are successful in their academic pursuits and in each facet of their lives moving forward; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend outstanding Mississippians such as Dr. Oswago Harper, whose superb leadership and instruction as the principal at Gulfport High Ninth Grade School has bettered the lives of the youth of the Gulfport School District and our great Magnolia State:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Dr. Oswago Harper upon earning the elite honor of Administrator of the Year for the Gulfport School District and express best wishes for continued success in all of his future professional and personal endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Dr. Oswago Harper and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.