MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2018 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Jackson (11th), Frazier, Norwood, Horhn, Simmons (12th), Jordan, Barnett, Jackson (32nd), Dawkins, Blackmon, Witherspoon, Simmons (13th), Butler, Turner-Ford
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE LEGACY OF THE JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY NATIONAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION HILLIARD L. LACKEY SCHOLARS FROM MADISON S. PALMER HIGH SCHOOL IN MARKS, MISSISSIPPI.
WHEREAS, in August 2014, Dr. Hilliard L. Lackey and Mrs. Lillian Troupe Lackey, both graduates of Madison S. Palmer High School in Marks, Mississippi, and Jackson State University National Alumni Association, Inc., randomly selected and adopted 23 students in the Ninth Grade Honors English Class taught by Mrs. Cheryl Orange Conley of Madison S. Palmer High School; and WHEREAS, Dr. Lackey, with support from Mrs. Lackey, began mentoring and nurturing the Honors English Class once per month during their freshman year. They brought in resource persons from the Jackson State University Executive PhD Program and other presenters to give guidance, insights and enhancements to the Honors English Class; and
WHEREAS, the School Principal designated the entire Class of 2014-2018 as the Mule Train 50th Anniversary Class with the Honors English Class named "Ambassadors"; and
WHEREAS, the Honors English Class was designated "Lackey Scholars" for their sophomore year in 2015-2016, and named Ambassadors for the School District; and
WHEREAS, the Lackey Scholars distinguished themselves through community service at the elementary and middle school, and events throughout the county; and
WHEREAS, Lackey Scholars set lofty goals of all students graduating with honors, achieving college scholarships, earning all schoolwide leadership positions, setting standards of conduct and decorum, scholarships, while being model citizens; and
WHEREAS, during Spring Break of their sophomore year, several Lackey Scholars spent a week on a college campus experiencing the feel of college life and acquiring tips for obtaining scholarships; and
WHEREAS, their junior year was one of high preparation where most Lackey Scholars became certified nurses aides, or enrolled in college courses; and
WHEREAS, after their junior year, the class as a whole was involved in military basic training or precollege programs at the University of Mississippi, University of Wisconsin, Harvard University and the Apple School in California; and
WHEREAS, their sponsor, Mrs. Cheryl Orange Conley, was named Quitman County School District Teacher of the Year for 2016-2017; and
WHEREAS, in their senior year, these class members held all campus-wide elected positions, including Student Body President, Miss Madison S. Palmer High School, Mr. Madison S. Palmer High School, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer; and
WHEREAS, three-to-four Lackey Scholars are in line to be Valedictorian or Salutatorian of the 80-member Mule Train 50th Anniversary Class of 2018. Except for losing two members of the original 23 when their families relocated outside the district, all 21 of Lackey Scholars will graduate on May 26, 2018; and
WHEREAS, this 2014-2018 Honors English Class, known as Jackson State University National Alumni Association, Inc., Lackey Scholars, was organized with a Constitution and Bylaws to remain a unit hereinafter in perpetuity; and
WHEREAS, we commend this record of achievement and legacy of leadership by this organization which has brought honor to their 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 the Legislature recognizes the legacy of the Jackson State University National Alumni Association Hilliard L. Lackey Scholars from Madison S. Palmer High School in Marks, Mississippi.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Dr. Hilliard L. Lackey, the Hilliard L. Lackey Madison S. Palmer Scholars and their sponsors, forwarded to the Quitman County Board of Education, and the Capitol Press Corps.