House Resolution 115

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE DISTINGUISHED CAREER AND MERITORIOUS LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE THAT MR. SCOTT GRIFFITH PROVIDED TO THE STUDENTS, FACULTY AND STAFF OF PRESBYTERIAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL AS ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL UPON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT.

WHEREAS, after 41 years of remarkable dedication to the students, faculty and staff of Presbyterian Christian School (PCS), Mr. Scott Griffith is retiring from his position as Elementary Principal after providing exemplary service to the entire Presbyterian Christian School and the citizens of Hattiesburg, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, born on February 10, 1953, in Waynesboro, Mississippi, Mr. Griffith was the only child of Paul and Ann Mary Griffith, and he was raised in Waynesboro and attended Central School and Wayne Central School; and

WHEREAS, after graduation, Mr. Griffith attended Jones County Junior College and then went on to attend the University of Southern Mississippi (USM), graduating in 1976 with a bachelor of science and master's in education; and

WHEREAS, on May 21, 1977, Mr. Griffith married Marian McKinney, and they were married for 38 years until her death in 2015 after an extended battle with lung cancer, and they completed their family unit with the addition of four wonderful children, Anna (Ro) Taylor, Ben (Rebecca) Griffith, Molly (Vinnie) Athey, and Sam (Devin) Griffith, as well as 10 grandchildren with one on the way; and

WHEREAS, Mr. and Mrs. Griffith were heavily involved at the University of Southern Mississippi in the forming of the first Reformed University Fellowship (RUF), which is a campus ministry that is supported by the Presbyterian Church in America; and

WHEREAS, RUF began at the USM in 1973 and now serves over 150 college campuses nationwide, and three of Mr. Griffith's children are now RUF ministers themselves or married to an RUF minister; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Griffith began his illustrious teaching career at Presbyterian Christian School in 1977, and has served as the principal of PCS Elementary since 1983, and PCS began in 1976 with 23 students meeting in the basement of Bay Street Presbyterian Church, and in 1978, PCS moved to Woodland Presbyterian Church, which continued to house the elementary school until the building of its current campus on Bonhomie Road; and

WHEREAS, during his tenure at PCS, Mr. Griffith has taught 3rd grade, 6th grade, 8th grade English and Science, and 6th grade Bible, and he has also coached flag football, basketball and assisted in the beginning of the PCS cross country program; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Griffith has made numerous contributions to PCS during his 41 years, including traditions such as the 6th grade leaf walk, emphasizing catechisms and memory work in Bible, organizing and championing the Spelling Bee each year, and perhaps most importantly, playing "BUMP" at recess on the basketball court; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Griffith's retirement in 2024 is not the end of his involvement with PCS, as he plans on continuing to teach Bible and to help run the clock at high school basketball games, and when he is not at PCS, he hopes to have time to visit his children and grandchildren more often, as well as finding time to hunt at his Waynesboro camp; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend the tireless devotion to the betterment of Mississippi and honor the ardent vow to impeccable service that Mr. Scott Griffith provided to the students, faculty and staff of Presbyterian Christian School for 41 years:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the distinguished career and meritorious leadership and service that Mr. Scott Griffith provided to the students, faculty and staff of Presbyterian Christian School as Elementary Principal upon the occasion of his retirement, and extend sincere wishes for continued success and joy in the lighter days ahead.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mr. Scott Griffith and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.