MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Second Extraordinary Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Jackson

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING KEMPER ACADEMY FRESHMAN NICHOLE SANDERS FOR BECOMING THE FIRST-EVER MISSISSIPPI WINNER OF THE PRE-TEEN SCHOLARSHIP AND RECOGNITION PROGRAM.

WHEREAS, on July 5, 2000, in Knoxville, Tennessee, 13-year-old Nichole Sanders put Kemper County on the map, representing the Blackwater Community, and the State of Mississippi at the Pre-Teen Scholarship and Recognition Program along with 226 girls from 36 states; and

WHEREAS, the competition is based on volunteer service to church and community, academic achievement, personal development with creative talents, school honors, and activities; these areas are scored prior to the arrival at the week-long competition, and a written knowledgability test, judges interview, creative essay and on-stage review are competed during the competition itself; and

WHEREAS, for her talent portion of the competition, Nichole placed third with a lyrical ballet to "Amazing Grace"; and

WHEREAS, when all was said and done and all the scores were calculated, Sanders became the first girl from Mississippi to win this prestigious title; and

WHEREAS, winning a $2,000.00 savings bond, medallion and numerous trophies, part of the prize package includes an all-expense travel allowance for Sanders and her mother to travel the United States representing the program at other state programs; as the Mississippi titleholder, Nichole will visit Kentucky, Missouri, Louisiana, Tennessee, North Carolina, New York, Arkansas and Wisconsin; and

WHEREAS, Nichole is a ninth grade student at Kemper Academy; she is a dance student at Carol Merill Academy of Dance in Meridian, Mississippi, and a member of Blackwater Baptist Church; her proud parents are Chuck and Donna Sanders of the Blackwater Community, and her grandparents are J.L. and Billie White of DeKalb, and Mickey and Barbara Sanders of Blackwater; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the accomplishment of this young citizen who has brought honor to her school, her 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 commend and congratulate Kemper Academy freshman Nichole Sanders of the Blackwater Community for becoming the first-ever Mississippi winner of the Pre-Teen Scholarship and Recognition Program, and wish her continued success in her future academic and civic endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to Nichole and her parents and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.