H.R. No. 61
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Mariella Gorena is retiring as principal of Wilson
Elementary School in 2011, drawing to a close a notable career in
education that has spanned four decades; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Gorena began teaching in the McAllen Independent
School District's first kindergarten program, which was held at
First Christian Church; she went on to join the faculty at Thigpen
Elementary, and after 15 years in the classroom, she became a
facilitator, first at Thigpen and later at Zavala, where she became
assistant principal and ultimately principal; and
WHEREAS, In 2007, she was named principal of Wilson
Elementary, and during her tenure, she has demonstrated exceptional
leadership and earned the admiration of the school's faculty and
staff; and
WHEREAS, Always willing to go above and beyond, Ms. Gorena
reached out to the Boys & Girls Clubs of McAllen and Sylvan Learning
in an effort to improve student test scores; inspired by her idea,
the groups have continued to help young people across the state
through a joint initiative, Texas AIM; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Gorena was inspired to enter the field of
education by her mother, Macaria Gorena, a longtime teacher in
Edinburg whose legacy has been recognized with a school named in her
honor; successful in her own right, Ms. Gorena has earned the
Achievement Award from Delta Kappa Gamma, was named a Notable
Valley Hispanic by The University of Texas-Pan American, and
received the 2011 Shining Star of Hidalgo County Award from the
Zonta Club; and
WHEREAS, In retirement, she looks forward to traveling,
assisting with area Cub Scout troops, and remaining an active
community volunteer; and
WHEREAS, Mariella Gorena has made a positive difference in
the lives of countless students, and she may indeed reflect with
great pride on her many professional accomplishments as she
prepares to embark on the next exciting chapter of her life; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas
Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby congratulate Mariella
Gorena on her retirement as principal of Wilson Elementary School
and extend to her sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Ms. Gorena as an expression of high regard by the Texas
House of Representatives.
Gonzales of Hidalgo
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 61 was adopted by the House on June
28, 2011, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House