Senate Concurrent Resolution 611

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING STARKVILLE HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR AKANE LITTLE FOR WINNING FIRST PLACE IN THE MISSISSIPPI ARTS COMMISSION "POETRY OUT LOUD" FINALS AND EXTENDING BEST WISHES FOR SUCCESS IN THE NATIONAL FINALS IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

WHEREAS, on March 7, 2013, nine students from across the state performed outstanding poetry recitations at the "Poetry Out Loud" Mississippi Finals at Mississippi Public Broadcasting in Jackson; and

WHEREAS, the trophy was awarded to Akane Little from Starkville High School. She will represent Mississippi in the National "Poetry Out Loud" Finals in Washington, D.C., on April 28-30, 2013; and

WHEREAS, the contest, presented in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the Poetry Foundation, is part of a national program that encourages high school students to learn about great poetry through memorization and performance. The Mississippi contest began at the classroom level; then a contest was held at each participating school to select the winner. Each participating school's champion advanced to one of three regional contests held around the state. Nine semifinalists, three from each region, participated in the 2013 State Finals Contest; and

WHEREAS, Poetry Out Loud is a National Arts Education Program that encourages the mastery of great poetry by offering educational materials and a dynamics contest to students in Grades Nine through Twelve across the country. More than 360,000 students across the country took part in the "Poetry Out Loud" Contest this year, and 5,138 of them were from 47 schools in Mississippi. The "Poetry Out Loud" Contest is free-of-charge to participating schools; and

WHEREAS, at the State Finals each contestant recited two poems that they selected from an anthology of more than 600 classic and contemporary poems. The three top-scoring contestants advanced to the final round during which they recited a third poem to determine their third, second, or first place ranking. The winner of the "Poetry Out Loud" Mississippi Finals received $200.00, and the winner's school library received a $500.00 stipend for the purchase of poetry books. The State Champion will also receive an all-expense-paid trip (with a chaperone) to compete in the National Finals where they will compete for $50,000 in awards and school stipends, with a $20,000 prize for the National Champion. Mississippi's "Poetry Out Loud" State Champion for 2012 (Kirsten Dupard) went on to become the 2012 National Champion; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this young Mississippian who has brought honor to her school, her community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Starkville High School Senior Akane Little for winning First Place in the Mississippi Arts Commission "Poetry Out Loud" Finals held at Mississippi Public Broadcasting, and extend to Akane our best wishes for success in the National Finals in Washington, D.C.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Akane Little, forwarded to Principal Keith Fennell of Starkville and the Executive Director of the Mississippi Arts Commission and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.