TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR FRELICIA TUCKER, A SENIOR AT AIKEN HIGH SCHOOL, AND CONGRATULATE HER ON BEING SELECTED AS THE WENDY'S HIGH SCHOOL HEISMAN TROPHY WINNER.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are delighted to learn that Frelicia Tucker was one of two Wendy's High School Heisman winners chosen from ten finalists and named in New York City on December 9, 2016; and
Whereas, created in 1994 by Wendy's founder Dave Thomas in partnership with the Heisman Trophy Trust, the Wendy's High School Heisman celebrates high school seniors throughout the United States who share Wendy's values of giving back to their communities, treating people with respect, continuing education, and excelling on the athletic field; and
Whereas, as part of the award, Frelicia Tucker, who has received a full scholarship to attend Rice University, receives a ten thousand dollar college scholarship, a five hundred dollar Wendy's gift card, a national winner patch, the High School Heisman Trophy, and recognition during ESPN's broadcast of the college football Heisman Trophy; and
Whereas, the first South Carolina student-athlete named to this prestigious honor, she has been a member of the tennis and track teams since the seventh grade, winning consecutive Class AAA state championships in the 400-meter hurdles since she was a sophomore in 2015; and
Whereas, captain of both teams and a cheerleader for Aiken High, Frelicia Tucker excels in every field of competition. She serves as the student body president, ranks as the school valedictorian, was selected to the National Honor Society, and received the West Point Leadership Award; and
Whereas, outside of school she serves as the state NAACP youth president and uses her free time to bolster her community by serving numerous charitable organizations; and
Whereas, in Columbia last January, Ms. Tucker delivered a timely and inspiring speech on education equality before Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders and an audience of more than four thousand attendees; and
Whereas, although she lost her father when she was only nine years old, she and her twin sister, Fredericka, who is also her best friend, continued to compete together in tennis and track, sports introduced to them by their father; and
Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives appreciates the pride and recognition that Frelicia Tucker, a unique and industrious young woman, has brought to her school, to her community, and to our great State, and the members expect to hear of her continued accomplishments in the days to come. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor Frelicia Tucker, a senior at Aiken High School, and congratulate her on being selected as the Wendy's High School Heisman Trophy winner.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Frelicia Tucker.