SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 17
         WHEREAS, Lavada Burse, a student at Grayson College and the
  2020-2021 international president of Phi Theta Kappa Honor
  Society, was recently named Glamour magazine's Community College
  Woman of the Year; and
 
 
         WHEREAS, Ms. Burse has overcome significant personal and
  financial hardships to become an honors student and a leader on
  her campus; she first began her community college career two
  decades ago but put her goal of becoming a certified public
  accountant on hold due to the high cost of tuition; in the
  subsequent years, she focused on her work while taking online
  classes; after the birth of her youngest child, she moved her
  family to Denison, where she enrolled at Grayson College in
  2017; and
 
 
         WHEREAS, As a nontraditional student, Ms. Burse initially
  struggled with feelings of uncertainty over whether or not she
  could succeed in college; the turning point in her college career
  came when she was invited to join Phi Theta Kappa, and while
  becoming active in the organization, she discovered her
  leadership potential and gained a renewed sense of confidence;
  with the support of her counselor and advisor, she campaigned to
  be the Texas regional president of Phi Theta Kappa, and after
  achieving that feat, she set her ambitions even higher to become
  the organization's international president; and
 
 
         WHEREAS, Along with her involvement in Phi Theta Kappa,
  Ms. Burse has contributed to her campus community by serving as
  the student liaison on Grayson College's board of trustees, and
  in May 2021, she had the distinction of delivering the
  commencement address for the school's graduating classes;
  throughout her time at Grayson, she has benefited from the
  support and encouragement of her fellow students, and she has
  enjoyed sharing her unique perspective as a student over the age
  of 40, a single mother, and an individual who has dealt with the
  challenges of depression and anxiety; looking ahead to the
  future, she is planning to continue her studies at a four-year
  university; and
 
 
         WHEREAS, Lavada Burse's hard work and perseverance have
  made her an inspiration to all who know her, and she may indeed
  take great pride in earning this prestigious recognition of her
  achievements; now, therefore, be it
 
 
         RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 87th
  Legislature, 1st Called Session, hereby congratulate Lavada
  Burse on her selection as Glamour magazine's Community College
  Woman of the Year and extend to her sincere best wishes for
  continued success in all her endeavors; and, be it further
 
         RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be
  prepared for Ms. Burse as an expression of high regard from the
  Texas Senate.
 
 
  Springer
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        President of the Senate
     
        I hereby certify that the
    above Resolution was adopted by
    the Senate on July 26, 2021.
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        Secretary of the Senate
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
         Member, Texas Senate