2018 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 94
BY SENATOR PEACOCK AND REPRESENTATIVES CARMODY AND SEABAUGH
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To commend and congratulate Caddo Magnet High School senior, Sunjay Letchuman of
Shreveport, upon his selection as the 2018 High School Student of the Year by the
Louisiana Department of Education and to note his extraordinary accomplishments.
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that the Legislature of Louisiana recognizes the
energy, intelligence, and achievements of Sunjay Letchuman, a high school senior and a
dynamic young man who has demonstrated excellence in academic achievement, medical
research, community service, and citizenship; and
WHEREAS, contestants are chosen from each of three categories, high school,
middle school, and elementary school; and
WHEREAS, 2018 Student of the Year winners are chosen from a list of twenty-one
regional finalists from all seven regions of the state and represent both public and private
schools; the selection process requires submission of a resume of accomplishments, samples
of essay writings, and interviews conducted by selection committee members who assess the
communication and critical-thinking skills of each candidate; and
WHEREAS, the "Louisiana Believes" program that honors the scholastic abilities
of these exceptional students is sponsored by the Louisiana Department of Education, and
on April 11, 2018, presentations were made at an awards ceremony held at the Louisiana
State Museum in Baton Rouge; and
WHEREAS, Sunjay had previously competed in the program as an eighth grader and
won the 2014 Caddo Parish Middle School Student of the Year award; and
WHEREAS, Sunjay is also particularly commended for his attention to academics
by maintaining a 4.0 grade point average and earning a thirty-five (35) on the ACT college
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entrance exam; he is a National Merit Scholarship semifinalist and an Advanced Placement
Scholarship participant; and
WHEREAS, with numerous honors for academic endeavors and extracurricular
activities which include selection as a finalist in the Siemens Competition in Math, Science
and Technology, as a second-place winner of the 2018 Louisiana Region I Science and
Engineering Fair, and as a first-place winner in the 2018 Louisiana Junior Science and
Humanities Symposium; Sunjay Letchuman exemplifies the finest qualities of scholarship;
and
WHEREAS, he possess a keen interest in the advanced study of biomedical
engineering as a research student at the Biomedical Research Foundation (BRF) and at the
LSU Health Science Center (Shreveport) Science and Medicine Academic Research
Training Program (SMART); and
WHEREAS, Sunjay will compete in the International Science and Engineering Fair
held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in May; and
WHEREAS, at BRF, his scientific research project titled "Differential Redox Profiles
of Veins and Arteries Associated with Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Failure" focuses on the
investigation of the systemic failure of coronary artery grafts over time; and
WHEREAS, Sunjay takes an active leadership role in organizations at Caddo Magnet
High School such as Mock Trial Club, Key Club International, and the Asian Studies
Association; and
WHEREAS, as a well-rounded student, Sunjay places academics as a top priority;
however, he balances his schedule with athletics that include tennis and cross-country track
and with leisure pursuits such as board games, gardening, and chess; and
WHEREAS, he volunteers his time at the Overton Brooks Veterans Administration
Medical Center; and
WHEREAS, as a published writer, Sunjay has penned a guide to personal finance and
consumer credit for young adults titled "Handbook of Essentials that Every High Schooler
Needs to Know: About Finance and Much More!"; and
WHEREAS, with a bright future ahead, Sunjay is considering several career paths
with interests in medicine, biomedical research or engineering, and finance; and
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WHEREAS, Sunjay Letchuman is a multi-talented scholar with a plethora of skills
and a maturity beyond his years who demonstrates a commitment to excellence that is truly
commendable and who is most deserving of the 2018 Louisiana High School Student of the
Year Award.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
commend Sunjay Letchuman upon his selection as the 2018 High School Student of the Year
by the Louisiana Department of Education; does hereby recognize his singular contributions
to the betterment of his school, community, and state; and does hereby extend to him
enduring appreciation for the tremendous pride and honor that he brings to his family,
friends, the city of Shreveport, and the state of Louisiana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby wish
for Sunjay continued success and happiness in all future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Sunjay Letchuman, Michael Ilgenfritz, principal of Caddo Magnet High School, and
Dr. T. Lamar Goree, superintendent of Caddo Parish Public Schools.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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