House Resolution 87

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE PINEY WOODS COUNTRY LIFE SCHOOL UPON THE PRODUCTION OF THE DOCUMENTARY, SACRED SOIL: THE PINEY WOODS SCHOOL STORY, PREMIERING ON HULU AND CONGRATULATING THE SCHOOL UPON THE OBSERVANCE OF THE 115TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF ITS FOUNDING.

WHEREAS, founded in 1909 by Dr. Laurence C. Jones, an Iowan who came to Mississippi with $1.65, a Bible and the dream of educating "the head, heart and hands" of rural African-American children, Piney Woods School celebrates 115 years of academic and humanitarian excellence, which has been further positioned in the national spotlight with the recent release of Sacred Soil: The Piney Wood School Story; and

WHEREAS, an insightfully immersive documentary which premiered on HULU on February 23, 2024, Sacred Soil: The Piney Wood School Story chronicles several bright young high school students at the school as they negotiate and contemplate academics, friendships, the prejudicial vices of the outside world, and their own weaknesses and strengths; and

WHEREAS, set against the culturally historical backdrop of one of America's oldest African-American boarding schools, a selective, college-preparatory institution located 20 miles south of Jackson, Mississippi, for students in Grades 9 through 12, which has created and fostered a living and learning environment where students are expected to excel, achieving spectacular results through a holistic approach that emphasizes academics, character and service, the film provides a window into the ever-evolving, complex layers of the school and its students; and

WHEREAS, the film tells an inspiring story about the history of African-American educational institutions in America and how the last Black standing boarding school, Piney Woods School, is more than just an institution, but stands in testament as the "epitome of resilience and hope," as proudly proclaimed by the school's president, Mr. Will Crossley, J.D.; and

WHEREAS, Sacred Soil: The Piney Woods School Story amplifies the journeys of several of the school's students and staff members, and director and documentarian, JJ Anderson's approach to presenting those individuals' stories through a beautiful cinematic approach that acknowledges the many ways there are to be Black in America, by allowing every student to have a voice, sheds light on the importance of having an awareness of understanding around race-driven constructs and how those show up in our day-to-day lives, and gives greater voice to the call for continued support of Black educational institutions, and how doing so bolsters the success of society as a whole; and

WHEREAS, in keeping with the charge outlined in its mission: "To provide that excellence in education within a Christian community through creation of an exceptional academic model which supports the tenet that all students can learn, develop a strong work ethic, and lead extraordinary lives through academic achievement and responsible citizenship," Piney Woods continues its investment to changing the world, one student at a time, preparing tomorrow's leaders who are educationally astute, morally responsible, civically engaged, socially equipped, technologically proficient, globally perceptive and full of faith and compassion which, through this film, is highlighted through as a culmination of love, community and culture; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend the supreme success of one of the nation's most prestigious and historical institutions of secondary education, such as the Piney Woods School, which has molded and shaped the lives of countless students since its inception in 1909:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend the Piney Woods School upon the production of the documentary, Sacred Soil: The Piney Woods School Story, premiering on HULU, congratulate the school upon the observance of the 115th year anniversary of its founding, and extend most sincere wishes for continued success for many more years to come.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to President Will Crossley, J.D. on behalf of the Piney Woods School and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.