MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2019 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Doty, Branning, Dearing, DeBar, Horhn, Jackson (32nd), Norwood, Simmons (12th), Turner-Ford, Witherspoon
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF EXCELLENCE AND AWARDS EARNED BY THE MISSISSIPPI SCHOOL OF THE ARTS IN BROOKHAVEN, MISSISSIPPI, ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 15TH ANNIVERSARY.
WHEREAS, we join the students, administration and community supporters of the Mississippi School of the Arts (MSA) in Brookhaven, Mississippi, in acknowledging the many awards of excellence earned by this unique state-supported school on the occasion of its 15th Anniversary; and
WHEREAS, the Mississippi School of the Arts (MSA) is located on the historic Whitworth College Campus in Brookhaven and offers Grades 11-12. The Mississippi School of the Arts has no tuition, but requires a $1,000.00 room and board fee. In addition to regular academic courses, the school also offers the following areas of study: Literary Arts, Vocal Music, Visual Arts, Theater and Dance. To be considered for attendance at MSA, the student must be a current tenth-grader with demonstrated artistic talent, an overall high school GPA of 2.5 and a minimum of ten Carnegie Units of study completed. Also, the prospective student must present for an invitation-only audition or presentation of his/her portfolio; and
WHEREAS, the mission at the Mississippi School of the Arts is to provide a challenging arts education for artistically gifted Mississippi students in a residential learning environment that promotes honor, integrity, service and lifelong learning; and
WHEREAS, the Mississippi School of the Arts has many local and regional awards through universities. These are the most recent accolades that were won by MSA:
· Exemplary Arts School Designation-Art Schools Network for 2017-2021 (international agency);
· AdvancED Accredited;
· Class of 2018 (64 graduates) $10.8 Million scholarship offers;
· 2018 second-highest school ACT average in Mississippi (consistently top three);
· 2019 American Voices Award (one of five statewide, consistently each year);
· 2019 Literary Arts Scholastic Awards, five Portfolio Award winners, seven Gold Keys, 24 Silver Keys, and 15 Honorable Mention;
· 2019 American Visions Award (two of five statewide, consistently each year);
· 2019 Visual Art Scholastic Awards, 24 Gold Keys with two Portfolio Awards; 18 Silver Keys with one Portfolio Award; 43 Honorable Mention with four Portfolio Awards;
· 2018-2019 National Association of Teachers of Singing Regional Finalists;
· 2018 National Association of Teachers of Singing State Finalists;
· January 2018 (7th time), Carnegie Hall performance;
· 2018 First, Second and Third Place at the Mississippi High School Film Festival;
· 2019 Mississippi Development Authority Stock Market Game Winner;
· 97% college attendance rate;
· National Beta Club School of Distinction (2017-2018 and 2018-2019);
· 1.9% unemployment rate among alumni;
· Students are enrolled from 78 of 82 Mississippi counties; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we commend the record of achievement by a special Mississippi school whose students and staff have brought honor to their school, the Brookhaven 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 recognize the accomplishments of excellence and awards earned by the Mississippi School of the Arts in Brookhaven, Mississippi, on the occasion of its 15th Anniversary, and extend to the students, parents, Executive Director and staff our best wishes for continued success.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Mississippi School of the Arts Executive Director Suzanne Hirsch, forwarded to the State Board of Education, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.