Bill Text: VA HJR431 | 2014 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending West Potomac High School.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)
Status: (Passed) 2014-03-07 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ431ER) [HJR431 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2014-HJR431-Enrolled.html
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WHEREAS, in 2015, West Potomac High School in Fairfax County celebrates 30 years of providing a learning environment where "Excellence is a Tradition"; and WHEREAS, West Potomac High School is the only three-building public school campus in Fairfax County; it sits on land and serves a community with rich historical and cultural significance to Virginia, such as Spring Bank Farm, which traces its roots to freed slaves from Mount Vernon plantation; and WHEREAS, in 1985, after a lengthy community process, West Potomac High School was established with the merger of two proud schools and communities, Fort Hunt High School and Groveton High School; and WHEREAS, the student body of the new West Potomac High School voted on the school's name, mascot, and school colors; the students thereupon established many new school traditions, such as the spirit rock, a student-led hype squad, and a new school fight song; and WHEREAS, West Potomac High School serves one of the most widely diverse student bodies in the Commonwealth, with students who have come from more than 75 countries and speak more than 46 different languages in their homes; and WHEREAS, West Potomac High School maintains a close relationship with the community, local businesses, and local middle and elementary schools while providing a challenging academic program that includes 26 advanced placement classes, four dual enrollment courses, and a rigorous array of career and technical education offerings through the West Potomac Academy and the Governor's Health Science Academy; and WHEREAS, highly regarded for its academic excellence, West Potomac High School has produced 102 National Merit commended scholars and 23 National Merit semifinalists through the years; and WHEREAS, since its inception, West Potomac High School has had numerous award-winning athletic teams that have served as a unifying force for the student body and broader community to rally around; and WHEREAS, between 1985 and 2014, West Potomac High School won four state championships in football and girls' cross country, had a wrestler recently win at state competition, and had swimmers win state relays, in addition to numerous district and regional championships; and WHEREAS, West Potomac High School has also produced outstanding achievements in debate, forensics, band, orchestra, chorus, guitar, theater arts, and career and technical education competitions, and in engineering, math, and science; and WHEREAS, the mock trial team has won county and state competitions, the debate team has won three state championships, the chorus has performed for President William Jefferson Clinton and for United States Secretaries of State, and the band has played for President Ronald Wilson Reagan and also has achieved state and national recognition, including in competition; and WHEREAS, West Potomac High School alumni have gone on to play professional football, have professional music careers and professional acting careers, compete in the Olympics, create numerous successful small and medium-size businesses, and serve in the Virginia General Assembly and on the Alexandria City Council; and WHEREAS, for 30 years, West Potomac High School has provided a secure and nurturing environment for its students to excel academically and personally and prepare for lifelong productive participation in a democratic society; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend West Potomac High School on the occasion of its 30th anniversary; and, be it RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Alexander Case, principal of West Potomac High School, as an expression of the General Assembly's congratulations, admiration, and respect for the school's dedication to its students and community over the past 30 years. |
