MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Moffatt, Robertson, Burton

Senate Concurrent Resolution 597

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING RACHEL ANN RUCKDESCHEL OF PASCAGOULA, MISSISSIPPI, UPON BEING SELECTED AS MISS MISSISSIPPI JUNIOR MISS FOR 1997. 

WHEREAS, Rachel Ann Ruckdeschel has been selected as Mississippi's 1997 Junior Miss; and

WHEREAS, the America's Junior Miss Program is a nationwide scholarship program that has successfully opened the door of opportunity for young women since its beginning in 1958, and is the oldest and largest scholarship program for high school seniors in the United States; and

WHEREAS, the America's Junior Miss Program seeks to recognize, reward and encourage excellence among young people in today's society by focusing on the achievements of outstanding high school senior girls; and

WHEREAS, Rachel is the beautiful and talented daughter of Mike and Kathy Ruckdeschel of Pascagoula, and is a senior at Pascagoula High School; and

WHEREAS, she has filled her secondary school career with many and varied activities, having been a student council representative, as well as a member of Mu Alpha Theta, the Junior Civitan Club, the Key Club, the Girls' Track Team and the IDEAS Club and has been a member of and served as the President of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Students; and

WHEREAS, Rachel served as President of Teen Connection for 1993-94 and 1994-95, performed with the Pascagoula Junior High School Show Choir, is a member of the National Honor Society, of which she was the Vice-President and Service Projects Chairman for 1996-97, and is a member of and has served as both Secretary and Vice-President of the German Club; and

WHEREAS, Rachel has received numerous honors and awards, including being named Rotary Club Student of the Month, Elks Club Student of the Month, is on the Superintendent's Honor Roll, is a Mississippi Governor's School Graduate, a 1996 Samsung American Legion Scholarship National Finalist, was a Girls' State Delegate, has received academic awards in Advanced Placement Chemistry and German III and is listed in The Who's Who Among American High School Students for 1997; and

WHEREAS, she has been active in her community, participating in nursing home and hospital visitation through the Beta Club and the National Honor Society, Bethany House visitation through Junior Civitan, canned food drives through the Student Council and Jackson County Youth Leadership by volunteering at the Head Start Program; and

WHEREAS, Rachel has also been a member of the Melange Dance Company, participated in the Juniorettes Club bicycle rodeo and recycling projects, is active in her First Presbyterian Church Youth Group and is a Candy Striper at Singing River Hospital; and

WHEREAS, Miss Ruckdeschel received the Scholastic Achievement and Creative and Performing Arts Awards in both the Pascagoula and Mississippi Junior Miss competitions; and

WHEREAS, she has distinguished herself and has brought great honor to her family, her community and the entire state, and will represent the State of Mississippi in the national Junior Miss competition in Mobile, Alabama; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend achievement and 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 and congratulate Miss Rachel Ann Ruckdeschel of Pascagoula, Mississippi, upon winning the title of Miss Mississippi Junior Miss 1997, wish her well during her reign, and extend best wishes for success in the national competition.

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