2018 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 74
BY SENATORS BARROW, COLOMB, HEWITT, MIZELL AND PETERSON AND
REPRESENTATIVES AMEDEE, CARPENTER, DAVIS, EMERSON,
HILFERTY, HILL, HODGES, HORTON, JACKSON, NANCY
LANDRY, MARCELLE, NORTON, SMITH, STOKES, THOMAS
AND WHITE
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To commend Emily Ames Otken upon her receipt of a 2018 Women of Excellence Award
from the Louisiana Legislative Women's Caucus Foundation in the category of High
School Women of Excellence and upon being a recipient of a Louisiana Legislative
Women's Caucus Foundation Scholarship.
WHEREAS, Emily Ames Otken is the daughter of Jim and Michelle Otken, has one
sibling, Ella Otken, and is a graduating senior at Denham Springs High School; and
WHEREAS, she was selected Denham Springs High School Student of the Year and
is a straight 'A' honor student currently enrolled in four Advance Placement classes with a
cumulative grade point average of 4.2449 and an ACT composite score of 31; and
WHEREAS, Emily is the recipient of the Livingston Parish Chamber of Commerce
Academic Award Scholarship, the Denham Springs Masonic Lodge Honesty and Integrity
Award, the Greater Baton Rouge State Fair Outstanding High School Volunteer Scholarship,
the Jim Justice Scholarship, and the Tulane University Book Award Scholarship; and
WHEREAS, she is a leader who is actively involved in many Denham Springs High
School clubs, including Mu Alpha Theta as its vice president, Jackets Against Destructive
Decisions publicist, Future Business Leaders of America reporter, Fellowship of Christian
Athletes leader, AP Society leader, Key Club, National Honor Society, and the Rotary
International Interact Club; and
WHEREAS, active in her community, Emily is a twelve-year active volunteer and
member of Live Oak United Methodist Church, as well as a twelve-year member of the
Livingston Parish Children's Choir Chorale having performed for the inauguration of
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards; and
WHEREAS, she is an eleven-year competitive classical piano student of the Rushing
Piano Studio, was awarded fourth place in the Louisiana Torgrimson Swanzy State Piano
Rally Level IV, and a winner of numerous piano competitions; and
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WHEREAS, Emily is a Livingston Parish Talented Theater and Music student and
had the lead role in several productions such as Getting to Know the Sound of Music and the
Wizard of Oz; and
WHEREAS, during her graduation ceremony, she will be awarded the Louisiana
Community Service Diploma Endorsement for her active volunteerism with Ochsner
Hospital in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Department, Livingston Parish Cry Out
America 9/11 Prayer and Remembrance service, Mighty Moms Food Pantry, and the Blue
Star Moms Wreaths Across America and Memorial Day Garden of Flags; and
WHEREAS, Emily will attend Louisiana State University as an Ogden Honors
College student and will major in biology with a minor in political science; and
WHEREAS, after college, she plans to attend medical school and to specialize in
pediatrics with a concentration in neonatology and hopes to complete her residency at a
Level IV NICU Trauma Center; and
WHEREAS, in addition to her work in the NICU, she wants to research the
mutations in the COL1A1/COL1A2 genes that result in osteogenesis imperfecta; and
WHEREAS, Emily hopes to use her medical doctorate to benefit her community by
establishing her practice in Louisiana and continuing to volunteer with the organizations she
currently works with; and
WHEREAS, the Louisiana Legislative Women's Caucus Foundation created the
Women of Excellence Awards to recognize and honor extraordinary women of excellence
across the state for their outstanding achievements and contributions; and
WHEREAS, recipients of the Women of Excellence Awards exhibit characteristics
of integrity and professionalism, personify excellence in their area of specialty, and are
committed to community service to better society as a whole; and
WHEREAS, for 2018, there are two categories for the Women of Excellence
Awards: College Women of Excellence and High School Women of Excellence; and
WHEREAS, the recipients of the 2018 Women of Excellence Awards are being
recognized at the Louisiana Legislative Women's Caucus Foundation's Women of
Excellence Awards & Scholarships Ceremony and Reception on Tuesday, April 24, 2018;
and
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WHEREAS, Emily has been named a recipient of a 2018 Women of Excellence
Award in the category of High School Women of Excellence and is also a recipient of a
Louisiana Legislative Women's Caucus Foundation Scholarship for her accomplishments
and personification of excellence in integrity, character, academics, leadership, and
community service; and
WHEREAS, Emily merits a sincere and heartfelt measure of commendation for her
dedication to excellence and her outstanding accomplishments, and it is appropriate for the
Legislature of Louisiana to commend Emily upon receipt of a 2018 Women of Excellence
Award from the Louisiana Legislative Women's Caucus Foundation and of a Louisiana
Legislative Women's Caucus Foundation Scholarship.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
commend Emily Ames Otken upon receipt of a 2018 Women of Excellence Award from the
Louisiana Legislative Women's Caucus Foundation in the category of High School Women
of Excellence and the Louisiana Legislative Women's Caucus Foundation Scholarship; does
hereby recognize and record for posterity her singular contributions to the citizens of
Louisiana; and does hereby extend enduring appreciation for the tremendous pride and honor
that she brings to her community and the state of Louisiana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Emily Ames Otken.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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