MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Horhn

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO COMMEND MISS NINA T. WASHINGTON, MISS MISSISSIPPI NATIONAL TEENAGER. 

WHEREAS, Miss Nina T. Washington was born November 11, 1980; and

WHEREAS, America's National Teenager Scholarship Program is in its 26th year; and

WHEREAS, the winners of programs held in all 50 states will compete in the 26th Annual America's National Teenager Program, to be held at Opryland USA in Nashville, Tennessee, August 9-16, 1997; and

WHEREAS, local and state programs commence in February, and each state winner is selected on the basis of scholastic achievement, leadership ability, communication skills and overall appearance, with each student allowed to choose to either present an original talent or an essay on "What's Right About America" as an option; and

WHEREAS, all female students, regardless of race, color or creed, ages 13 through 18, are eligible to compete; and

WHEREAS, the purpose of America's National Teenager Scholarship Program is to recognize, nationally and locally, the scholastic leadership achievements of America's teenagers and to provide cash tuition scholarships and awards to the participants; and

WHEREAS, in the 1996 state programs, there were approximately 70 participating colleges and universities, and more than $5,000,000 in cash, tuition scholarships and awards were presented in state and regional programs; and

WHEREAS, the National Teenager Scholarship Foundation has been responsible for awarding over $100,000,000 in tuition, grants and cash scholarships; and

WHEREAS, across the country, thousands of students, families, relatives, friends and sponsors are directly and personally involved in the various programs each year, and sponsoring groups of state participants include local and regional businesses and civic organizations such as Kiwanis, Rotary, Lions, Jaycees, American Legion, Chamber of Commerce and others; and

WHEREAS, the mission of the National Teenager Scholarship Foundation is to assist young women of intellect and leadership in their quest for education and life achievement; and

WHEREAS, the program continues to grow and remains committed to its philosophy of "Assisting Tomorrow's Leaders . . . Today"; and

WHEREAS, Nina T. Washington is the daughter of Reverend and Mrs. Willis Washington, Jr., and the sister of Mihia Cherie Lloyd and Lorin Rena Washington; and

WHEREAS, Nina was a Legislative Page for the Senate during the 1997 Regular Session; and

WHEREAS, she was elected President of the Junior Class at Murrah High School in Jackson, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Nina was also named a Class Favorite at Murrah, plays on the Murrah High School Volleyball Team, was nominated to receive the National English Merit Award, made all "A's" for the first two terms, was selected to participate in the Bio-Medical Research Program at Murrah, is a member of the Young Black Achievers Program at the YMCA, ranked #1 in the Junior Class, carried a leading role in the 1997 Murrah musical, "Guys and Dolls" and won Third Place in the local Science Fair; and

WHEREAS, Miss Washington was also Sophomore Class President at Murrah, received the national English Merit Award, was selected to participate in the Chamber of Commerce's Leadership Jackson program, and received the first place World History Award, the second place Algebra II Award and the second place Spanish II Award; and

WHEREAS, she is a member of the National Honor Society, a past member of the National Junior Honor Society, an inductee of the Mu Alpha Theta Math Society, has been selected to Who's Who Among American High School Students, and has participated in activities both in church, at school and in her community, and received honors and awards too numerous to mention, as well as working part time both as a cashier and as an Avon sales representative; and

WHEREAS, Nina has been selected as a finalist in the America's National Teenager Scholarship Competition as the Mississippi Senior Award Winner, and will receive a round-trip flight and expenses paid to compete in the National Finals; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to commend excellence exhibited by the citizens of Mississippi, especially when evinced by the youth of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MISSISSIPPI STATE SENATE, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend Nina T. Washington, congratulate her upon being named Miss Mississippi National Teenager, wish her well during her tenure in that position, and extend to her our best wishes for her continued success in the national competition in August.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be given to Miss Washington and to her parents.