THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY V. BROWN, WATERS, BROWNLEE, YOUNGBLOOD, PARKER, THOMAS, CALTAGIRONE, FABRIZIO, HENNESSEY, KORTZ, MILLARD, MIRABITO, SWANGER, MANN AND PAYTON, MAY 23, 2011

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, MAY 23, 2011  

A RESOLUTION

Commending distinguished Mastery Charter School orators.

WHEREAS, On February 25, 2011, Mastery Charter School's

Shoemaker Campus in Philadelphia conducted its 1st annual Black

History Month Oratorical Contest; and

WHEREAS, In the weeks leading up to the event, students

delivered competitive speeches on themes relating to success,

black-on-black crime and community; and

WHEREAS, Contest finalists were: Briana Lewis, 7th grade;

Rashima Pierce, 8th grade; Brenea Mitchell, 9th grade; Morghan

Wearing-Gooden, 10th grade; Elizabeth Olanrewaju, 11th grade;

and Michael Savior, 12th grade; and

WHEREAS, First place winners were: Vanessa Morris, 7th grade;

Kayla Williams, 8th grade; Lakita Williams, 9th grade; Devon

Walker, 10th grade; Haru'n Jones, 11th grade; and Jolyessa

Lewis, 12th grade; and

WHEREAS, The contest was judged by Senator Vincent Hughes,

Philadelphia Deputy Mayor of Public Safety Everett Gillison,

Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, Councilman Curtis Jones, Jr.,

Philadelphia Municipal Court Judge Charles Hayden, then-Eagles

executive Pamela Browner-White and Dr. Ala Stanford-Frey of

Abington Memorial Hospital; and

WHEREAS, Mastery Charter Schools, the nonprofit charter

operator, has partnered with the School District of Philadelphia

since 2001 to transform certain underperforming schools while

promoting the highest standards of student achievement and

readiness for higher education; and

WHEREAS, The House of Representatives is pleased to recognize

those students who were leading orators in Mastery's 1st annual

Black History Month Oratorical Contest; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives commend

distinguished Mastery Charter School orators.