H.R. No. 980
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Serenity High in McKinney has made a positive
difference in the lives of numerous youth and their families since
its inception nearly a decade ago; and
WHEREAS, Founded to provide a safe haven and sober
environment for students who have successfully completed treatment
for chemical dependency, Serenity High is the only public high
school of its kind in Texas; Lynn Sperry, a longtime board member
for the McKinney Independent School District, promoted the
establishment of the school, and after more than a year of
exploration and planning, Serenity High opened on October 11, 1999;
and
WHEREAS, Students undergo an extensive application process
to ensure that they are prepared to remain sober while completing
their education; once admitted, they receive individual
instruction on self-paced course work and participate in peer
support groups, team-building events, and ongoing community
service projects; moreover, students are required to demonstrate
their ongoing commitment to a sober lifestyle by undergoing random
drug testing; formal graduation ceremonies take place twice a year
and include a cherished ritual in which graduates hang photographs
of themselves on the wall of honor; and
WHEREAS, Through partnerships with area school districts,
Serenity High welcomes students from Anna, Celina, Community,
Farmersville, Frisco, Garland, Gunter, Melissa, Pilot Point,
Plano, Princeton, Richardson, Rockwall, and Wylie, and enrolls
students from other districts for a per-day tuition fee; to date,
the school has graduated more than 150 students, some of whom
traveled more than 35 miles from home to attend; and
WHEREAS, Many interested parties have contributed to the
success of Serenity High, including principal Juli Ferraro, the
school's exemplary team of teachers, students and their families,
members of the school's advisory board, and administrators of
McKinney ISD, and all are deserving of recognition for their work in
advancing this notable institution; and
WHEREAS, Serenity High helps students overcome addiction and
focus on their educational goals, and the school's vital role in the
lives of many young Texans cannot be overestimated; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby commend Serenity High for its outstanding record
of service to North Texas and extend to all those associated with
the school sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Serenity High as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.
Madden
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 980 was adopted by the House on April
2, 2009, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House