House Resolution 92

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING DONNA PORTER OF PICAYUNE MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL ON BEING SELECTED FOR A 2012 KENNEDY CENTER/STEPHEN SONDHEIM INSPIRATIONAL TEACHER AWARD.

WHEREAS, Donna Porter, an oral communications teacher at Picayune Memorial High School, has been selected as one of ten teachers for the 2012 Kennedy Center/Stephen Sondheim Inspirational Teacher Award; and

WHEREAS, the award's $10,000 grant is bestowed annually to recognize specific teachers like Donna Porter by spotlighting their extraordinary impact on the lives of students; and

WHEREAS, Donna Porter was nominated by Dewayne "D.J." Batiste who submitted a 500-word essay detailing how Mrs. Porter changed his life by recognizing good qualities in him and turned his inappropriate late entrance to his first class into a life-changing future through education; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Porter is a 25-year veteran of the Picayune School District who sees her classroom as a mission field and her philosophy of teaching is a belief that every individual is designed for greatness and she believes that she was designed to bring to light the greatness that lies within others; and

WHEREAS, D.J.'s essay described how the 90-second first day encounter with Mrs. Porter transformed him from a youth on the path to trouble to a first-generation high school graduate who is now pursuing a degree in communications and has a desire to make a positive impact on others' lives; and

WHEREAS, Donna Porter became a teacher to unlock the greatness of students and help them on the road to success by empowering their spirits thereby enriching their lives and helping them realize how special they are and how successful they can be; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend the exemplary accomplishments of our citizens, especially one as inspirational as Donna Porter whose teaching skills and outstanding achievements as one our public school system's most dedicated teachers has brought honor to her school, her community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Donna Porter of Picayune Memorial High School for her national selection for a 2012 Kennedy Center/Stephen Sondheim Inspirational Teacher Award, and extend best wishes for continued success in all of her future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Donna Porter, Picayune Memorial High School Principal Kent Kirkland, the Picayune School Board and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.