Senate Resolution 33

(As Adopted by Senate)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING GENTRY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND "JOBS FOR MISSISSIPPI GRADUATES" PARTICIPANTS: A'MYAH ROBINSON, SYLVESTER WASHINGTON, JR., COLEE M. ANTHONY AND T'ROSSI PERNELL, AND JACKSON SCHOOL DISTRICT ACADEMIC AND PERFORMING ARTS COMPLEX PROGRAM STUDENT, ZACCHAEUS WALLACE, UPON THEIR SUCCESS AT THE JOBS FOR AMERICA'S GRADUATES NATIONAL STUDENT LEADERSHIP ACADEMY.

WHEREAS, "Jobs for Mississippi Graduates" student achievers traveled to Washington, D.C., in December 2019, to participate in the "Jobs for America's Graduates" 2019 National Student Leadership Academy Competition for national titles in the four academic areas of public speaking, employability skills, math skills and project-based learning; and

WHEREAS, Mississippi students scored highest of 32 states represented, accumulating four student title place finishes, more than any other state in the competition, following successful competition in the Spring Statewide Competitions, which preceded the National Competition; and

WHEREAS, four Gentry High School students, A'Myah Robinson, Sylvester Washington, Jr., Colee M. Anthony and T'Rossi Pernell, were among the group of 35 Mississippi scholars to attend the conference, and were exceptional academic ambassadors representing our state's educational system which prepares our students for college and career-readiness; and

WHEREAS, of the four Gentry High School students, juniors A'Myah Robinson and Sylvester Washington, Jr., both took home the First Place awards for Project-Based Learning, while T'Rossi Pernell accepted the Second Place award for Public Speaking; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Adrian Brown, Gentry High School's Job Specialist, has invested over 20 years in education, planning, community and economic development to groom these young leaders in the college prep and career-tech avenues; and

WHEREAS, Zacchaeus Wallace, a senior at the Jackson Public School District Academic and Performing Arts Complex (APAC) Program, captured Mississippi's fourth award, placing second in math; and

WHEREAS, Mississippi's students' academic success was truly demonstrated on the national stage, with four out of five wins in the nation, illustrating the significant impact that "Jobs for Mississippi Graduates" has on students; and

WHEREAS, the students not only attended the competitions, but also participated in leadership training sessions and several tours, which included the National Mall, the Nation's Capitol, Smithsonian Museums, Pentagon Mall and Arlington National Cemetery, an opportunity that afforded students with the academic and cultural experiences of a lifetime; and

WHEREAS, we recognize the academic accomplishment of these students, who have demonstrated immense aptitude and academic achievement on the state and national levels of competition, and brought honor to their school, their community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Gentry High School students and "Jobs for Mississippi Graduates" participants: A'Myah Robinson, Sylvester Washington, Jr., Colee M. Anthony and T'Rossi Pernell, and Jackson School District Academic and Performing Arts Complex Program student Zacchaeus Wallace, upon their success at the Jobs For America's Graduates National Student Leadership Academy, and extend best wishes for continued success in all their future academic endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be presented to A'Myah Robinson, Sylvester Washington, Jr., Colee M. Anthony, T'Rossi Pernell, Zacchaeus Wallace, the Executive Director of Jobs for Mississippi Graduates and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.