House Resolution 91

A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING AND COMMENDING MRS. WYNELL PARISH FOR HER OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS AS AN EDUCATOR.

WHEREAS, Mrs. Wynell Parish of Carthage, Mississippi, has set the benchmark of excellence in education for her contributions as a tirelessly devoted educator; and

WHEREAS, born September 30, 1946, the second child of Ross and Ruth Crane, Mrs. Parish was educated in the Leake County School System, where she graduated from Walnut Grove High School in 1964; and

WHEREAS, after graduating from high school, Mrs. Parish enrolled at East Central Community College, earning an associate of arts degree in home economics education in 1966, and later earning her bachelor of science degree in home economics education with a certification in social studies from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1967; and

WHEREAS, commencing her teaching career in 1967, Mrs. Parish has not only taught in Mississippi, but has also shared her wealth of educational knowledge with students in Alabama, New York and Virginia; and

WHEREAS, it was while teaching in Alabama, that Mrs. Parish met her future husband, Wayne Parish, who at the time was in the United States Armed Services, and were later united in holy matrimony on January 30, 1970; and

WHEREAS, in 2001, Mrs. Parish, a 37-year veteran educator, undertook the task of teaching General Education Diploma (GED) courses at the Walnut Grove Youth Correctional Facility, raising the program's standards to become one with one of the highest graduation rates in the Central District of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Parish considers the Walnut Grove Youth Correctional Facility's GED program her greatest accomplishment, having graduated more than 300 inmates, she made positive steps to help the inmates attain their goal of earning a diploma with moral and spiritual support and prayer despite the circumstances surrounding their incarceration; and

WHEREAS, going above and beyond the call of classroom duty and fostering a spirit of unity amongst herself and her pupils, Mrs. Parish, after leaving the Walnut Grove facilities in 2003, continues to maintain strong ties with her former pupils, rendering assistance by any means possible; and

WHEREAS, after one of her students, Michael Baker, scored a 27 on the ACT college entrance exam while in the Walnut Grove GED program, which gained media attention from WLBT News, upon his release, Mrs. Parish committed herself to enrolling him in college; and

WHEREAS, after having been denied entry at Northwest Mississippi Community College, Mrs. Parish drove Michael to her alma mater, the University of Southern Mississippi, where she assisted him in the admission and financial aid processes, and, negotiating on his behalf, was able to obtain admission to the university on full scholarship, where he is now in his second semester; and

WHEREAS, a member of Freeny Methodist Church, Mrs. Parish, who financially maintains and upkeeps the beauty of the local cemetery and who has compiled a register of its deceased, housed in the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, enjoys reading, traveling, genealogical research and caring for her pets; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Parish, who has received recognition from the American Red Cross and the United States Military Academy at West Point for her volunteer work, enjoys the love, encouragement and support of her family, including her husband, Wayne Parish; son, Paul Parish; parents, Ross and Ruth Crane and brother, Billy Joe; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we salute the commitment and heroic display of humanitarianism, as exhibited by Mrs. Parish:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize and commend Mrs. Wynell Parish for her outstanding contributions as an educator and extend our heartiest wishes for continued success in all her future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mrs. Wynell Parish, The Carthaginian newspaper and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.