SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 977

WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize Yesenia Delgado, Felicia Juarez, and Kivani Ailene Sanchez, who have been named Youth of the Year by the Rio Grande Valley Sector of the United States Border Patrol; and

WHEREAS, For 17 years, the Rio Grande Valley Sector Border Patrol has administered an educational program known as Head of the Class to recognize high-achieving students in the Valley; the title is a monthly award, and students are nominated by their respective school counselors; and

WHEREAS, As an extension of this program, three of the recipients of the Head of the Class title are chosen for the title of Youth of the Year, which means they have met the criteria for Head of the Class and have excelled as exemplary role models; and

WHEREAS, To earn these titles, students must lead a drug-free lifestyle and must maintain good grades; students must also volunteer their time to their school or community and participate in clubs, athletics, student council, or fund-raisers; and

WHEREAS, Kivani Ailene Sanchez is a student at Veterans Memorial High School in Mission who continually challenges herself by enrolling in rigorous classes and taking part in a wide variety of extracurricular activities; she is a district champion on the swim team and volunteers weekly at the Palm Valley Animal Center; she is president of her school's National Honor Society and vice president of its Health Occupations Students of America chapter, and she is ranked first in her class; and

WHEREAS, Felicia Juarez is an outstanding student at Weslaco East High School; this studious future biology or physics major has received scholarship offers from major colleges across the country, including Johns Hopkins University, Baylor University, Wesleyan University in Connecticut, Texas A&M University, Smith College, Swarthmore College, and the University of Richmond; and

WHEREAS, Yesenia Delgado is a student at Pharr-San Juan-Alamo North High School, and her determination to succeed has served as an inspiration to countless others; in addition to maintaining a stellar academic record, she is active in tennis, soccer, and track, and she has generously volunteered her time and talent to a wide variety of community organizations; she is looking forward to going to college and hopes to pursue a career in medicine; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 83rd Legislature, hereby commend Yesenia Delgado, Felicia Juarez, and Kivani Ailene Sanchez on their outstanding accomplishments and extend congratulations to them on earning the title of Youth of the Year from the Rio Grande Valley Sector of the United States Border Patrol; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for them as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate.

Lucio, Hinojosa

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on May 16, 2013.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate

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Member, Texas Senate