By: Counts H.R. No. 678 73R10369 NBM-F R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The Texas House of Representatives takes special 1-2 pleasure in honoring Jeremiah Pleasant "Jerry" Worsham, on his 1-3 outstanding achievements as drama teacher at Snyder High School; 1-4 and 1-5 WHEREAS, Known throughout the state as the winningest 1-6 director in the history of the University Interscholastic League, 1-7 Mr. Worsham has led his students to the statewide one-act play 1-8 competition 23 times, winning top honors 11 times, second place six 1-9 times, and third place twice; and 1-10 WHEREAS, A native of Barry, Texas, this exemplary teacher 1-11 attended Navarro College and Baylor University and was graduated 1-12 from the University of North Texas with a degree in political 1-13 science; after spending his first year of teaching at Corsicana 1-14 High School in Navarro County, he served with the U.S. Navy in 1-15 Vietnam for three years; and 1-16 WHEREAS, On his return to the United States in 1967, 1-17 Mr. Worsham joined the staff of Snyder High School as drama 1-18 teacher, leading his students to victory in the UIL one-act play 1-19 competition during the first year; over the past two decades, he 1-20 has not only repeated this achievement 10 times but also has 1-21 created one of the nation's finest high school drama programs; and 1-22 WHEREAS, Recognized as the outstanding high school drama 1-23 teacher in the country by the American Theatre Association in 1985, 1-24 Mr. Worsham received one of his greatest honors in 1984, when the 2-1 Rockefeller Foundation completed a five-year search for the 2-2 nation's best arts program by awarding Snyder High School a $10,000 2-3 Rockefeller Arts in Education Award; this esteemed educator also 2-4 has been named Texas Speech Teacher of the Year and Texas Drama 2-5 Teacher of the Year, and the Snyder Board of Education recently 2-6 renamed the high school auditorium in his honor; and 2-7 WHEREAS, Not only a fine director but an inspiring mentor and 2-8 steadfast friend as well, he challenges his students to think and 2-9 act with confidence, courage, and independence; for more than two 2-10 decades, alumni of the Snyder High School drama program have 2-11 parlayed their experience into personal and professional success, 2-12 and many former students have succeeded as writers and actors in 2-13 the fields of theater, film, and television; and 2-14 WHEREAS, Known to all as a man of uncompromising integrity 2-15 and dedication, Mr. Worsham has inspired, guided, and illuminated 2-16 the lives of his students at Snyder High School for a quarter of a 2-17 century, and his many contributions to drama education are indeed 2-18 worthy of special legislative recognition; now, therefore, be it 2-19 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 73rd Texas 2-20 Legislature hereby honor Jeremiah Pleasant "Jerry" Worsham for his 2-21 outstanding achievements as drama teacher at Snyder High School; 2-22 and, be it further 2-23 RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be 2-24 prepared for Mr. Worsham as an expression of high esteem by the 2-25 Texas House of Representatives.