ENROLLED
2023 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 279
BY REPRESENTATIVE PRESSLY
A RESOLUTION
To commend Jaylen Pruiett on being named a 2023 Gates Scholar.
WHEREAS, Jaylen Pruiett is a distinguished scholar and graduate of Captain Shreve
High School who was recently named a 2023 Gates Scholar after participating in the Bobbie
Cates Hicks Science and Medicine Academic Research Training (SMART) program; and
WHEREAS, at the SMART program, Jaylen interned under the guidance of
Dr. Diana Cruz-Topete at Louisiana State University at Shreveport to study "Sex Differences
in the Effects of Mental Stress on Myocardial Infarction"; Building our Regions Future of
Shreveport initially launched the SMART program for a small number of academically
advanced high school seniors from Caddo, Bossier, and DeSoto parishes to provide a year-
long research experience; it is funded by donations from the late Bobbie Cates Hicks, the
Bruce J. Heim Foundation, the Community Foundation of North Louisiana's Give for Good
donors, the Community Foundation of North Louisiana's William C. Woolf Fund, and the
Magale Foundation; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Pruiett was one of seven hundred fifty-nine American students who
were selected out of fifty-one thousand applicants for the prestigious and highly-selective
scholarship, which is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; as a 2023 Gates
Scholar, he has displayed outstanding academic achievement and exceptional personal
success skills and demonstrated leadership ability; and
WHEREAS, at Captain Shreve High School, Jaylen was involved in numerous
extracurricular activities including the Louisiana Association of Student Councils, Top
Teens of America, Captain Shreve Student Council, Key Club, Youth Advocacy Team, Mu
Alpha Theta, National Honors Society, Black Studies Association, and the Fellowship of
Christian Athletes; and
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WHEREAS, Jaylen is a founding member of Swamp Medics, which is the largest
club at Captain Shreve High School, with more than one hundred fifty members; he is a truly
inspiring young man who is deserving of the highest recognition for his outstanding
achievements.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend Jaylen Pruiett on being named a 2023 Gates
Scholar and does hereby extend sincerest wishes that he continue to prosper in all of his
endeavors.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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