2025 SESSION
ENROLLED
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 753
Commending Penelope Nowell-Shortt.
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 18, 2025
WHEREAS, Penelope Nowell-Shortt, a senior at Woodbridge High School, helped her classmates learn more about and participate in the democratic process by organizing a school voter registration drive in 2024; and
WHEREAS, a dedicated student with an interest in public policy and criminal justice, Penelope Nowell-Shortt was excited to vote for the first time during the 2024 United States presidential election; and
WHEREAS, Penelope Nowell-Shortt realized that many of her classmates may also be eligible to vote for the first time and worked with school guidance counselors to determine that approximately 100 students would turn 18 before Election Day; and
WHEREAS, Penelope Nowell-Shortt researched voter registration and elections procedures to ensure that she could have constructive conversations with her fellow students and launched a nonpartisan voter registration drive in September 2024; and
WHEREAS, Penelope Nowell-Shortt held the drive during lunch periods for a full week and ultimately helped 72 students register to vote, allowing them to become more engaged in their communities and the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That Penelope Nowell-Shortt hereby be commended for organizing a voter registration drive for eligible students at Woodbridge High School in 2024; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Penelope Nowell-Shortt as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for her commitment to civic engagement and service to her community.