2022 Regular Session ENROLLED SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 59 BY SENATOR PEACOCK A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION To commend Elizabeth "Ellie" Chase Franks on being a 2022 state "Students of the Year" finalist. WHEREAS, in the state's annual "Students of the Year" competition, the Louisiana Department of Education selects students representing traditional public, public charter, and nonpublic schools as finalists for the coveted title; and WHEREAS, students compete with their peers at the school system level and may advance to the regional competitions. Students are selected based on academic achievement, leadership skills, character, and service to their schools and communities; and WHEREAS, regional selection committees also use electronic portfolios of accomplishments, along with student writing samples, and interviews to assess the communication and critical thinking skills of each candidate; and WHEREAS, prior to selecting the three state winners, the state selection committee will conduct interviews and review portfolios and writing samples from each finalist; and WHEREAS, for the year 2022, the twenty-one students selected as "Students of the Year" finalists include one elementary, middle, and high school student from each of the state's seven regions; and WHEREAS, Elizabeth "Ellie" Chase Franks, affectionately known as "Ellie" has been named as a finalist in the 2022 state "Students of the Year" as an eighth grade middle school student at St. Joseph Catholic School, Diocese of Shreveport; and WHEREAS, Ellie has maintained an "A" average in all subjects, including conduct since the first grade and currently has a 4.0 grade point average on her eighth grade mid-year report card; and WHEREAS, Ellie not only has excelled academically, she also has been a recipient of numerous recognitions and awards from her school, church, and community since 2018 when she first became involved in various activities; and Page 1 of 2 SCR NO. 59 ENROLLED WHEREAS, likewise since 2018, Ellie has exuded leadership qualities serving in school organizations, extracurricular, community, and church leadership positions; and WHEREAS, she is known to have a natural talent to communicate well, regardless of age range or background and she has leveraged her talent for communication and interest in service as a volunteer for school and extracurricular groups; and WHEREAS, Ellie has shown evidence of character, leadership, and a willingness to learn, thereby making her the perfect school representative candidate for "Students of the Year"; and WHEREAS, Ellie embodies all the qualities and characteristics of an exemplary student making her the absolute right choice to represent St. Joseph Catholic School as the 2022 "Students of the Year"; and WHEREAS, at the impressionable age of thirteen, Ellie understands that through the journey of life, every person is faced with choices and every choice has consequences; and WHEREAS, Ellie chooses to find knowledge in her choices and to learn the lesson of every choice; and WHEREAS, Ellie has managed to turn into successes the personal tragedies which she has experienced during her thirteen short years; and WHEREAS, Ellie chooses to live by three words which her dad always impressed upon her, "Finish out strong"; and WHEREAS, Elizabeth "Ellie" Chase Franks, by representing St. Joseph Catholic School as a finalist in the 2022 state "Students of the Year", demonstrates indeed how she did "Finish out strong". THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend Elizabeth "Ellie" Chase Franks on being a 2022 state students of the year finalist. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to Elizabeth "Ellie" Chase Franks and St. Joseph Catholic School. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Page 2 of 2