<BillNo> <Sponsor>
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 81
By Lynn
HJR0081
000732
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A RESOLUTION to honor and commend Abigail Whicker, state
winner of the 2024 American Legion Department
of Tennessee Oratorical Contest.
WHEREAS, it is fitting that the members of this General Assembly should pause to pay
tribute to those students who, through their natural talents and unflagging commitment to
excellence, have distinguished themselves as academic achievers; and
WHEREAS, Abigail Whicker, a senior at Mt. Juliet Christian Academy and a
representative of the Tyler Cates Post 281, is one such exceptional student, who was recently
named the state winner of the American Legion Department of Tennessee Oratorical Contest;
and
WHEREAS, no stranger to academic competition, Ms. Whicker has won the 5
th
District
Contest, the Central Division Contest, and the State Level Oratorical Contest in both 2023 and
2024; and
WHEREAS, having won the American Legion Department of Tennessee Contest, she
then advanced to the semifinal round at the national event for the past two years; and
WHEREAS, Abigail Whicker is active in the arts at Mt. Juliet Christian Academy, where
she participates in dance, theatre, and music programs, and she has engaged with her
community through Youth Leadership Wilson; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Whicker's election as president of her school's National Honor Society
chapter gave her the opportunity to help organize a goal-surpassing diaper drive for the
Pregnancy Care Center; and
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WHEREAS, she also serves as president of the Middle Tennessee Ag Academy FFA
Chapter, which has allowed her to pursue her passions and to enroll in dual credit agriculture
classes through Middle Tennessee State University; and
WHEREAS, one of the highlights of Abigail Whicker's high school career has been
attending the Tennessee Governor's School for the Agricultural Sciences at the University of
Tennessee at Martin last summer, and she is also thrilled to be representing Middle Tennessee
FFA as the organization's 2024-2025 Regional Vice President; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Whicker first found her niche in public speaking through her
participation in FFA, and she was the state winner for the FFA Prepared Public Speaking
Leadership Development Event in 2024 with her speech about the PRIME Act; she went on to
represent Tennessee in this event at the FFA National Convention this past October, where she
was honored to be among the top eight in the nation who were named as Gold Emblem finalists;
and
WHEREAS, Abigail Whicker has also honed her communication skills through
competitive horse evaluation, and she and her FFA horse-judging team are the reigning state
champions; and
WHEREAS, after earning a generous amount of scholarship funds through these events,
she plans to attend college here in her home state; Ms. Whicker is currently preparing to run for
a state officer position with Tennessee FFA, and she sees agriculture advocacy and shaping
public policy as part of her future; and
WHEREAS, Abigail Whicker also loves writing music and leading worship, and she
hopes to raise a family and perhaps have a farm someday; and
WHEREAS, her noteworthy achievements are a tremendous source of pride for her
parents, John and Robin Whicker, her school, and her community, and she is clearly deserving
of our respect, admiration, and commendation; now, therefore,
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BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED
FOURTEENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, THE SENATE
CONCURRING, that we honor and commend Abigail Whicker on her selection as the state
winner of the 2024 American Legion Department of Tennessee Oratorical Contest and wish her
every continued success in the future.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that an appropriate copy of this resolution be prepared
for presentation with this final clause omitted from such copy and upon proper request made to
the appropriate clerk, the language appearing immediately following the State seal appear
without House or Senate designation.