Senate Resolution No. 1444

BY: Senator PALUMBO

COMMENDING 20 local high schools upon the occasion
of their designation as Schools of Distinction and
Excellence by the New York State Public High School
Athletic Association

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to commend rare
athletic and academic achievements and pay special recognition to those
who pursue such excellence and become examples for the youth of this
great Empire State; and

WHEREAS, Achieving such high honors in sports requires a rigorous
work ethic, excellent teamwork, outstanding academic performance, and a
desire to better yourself for the greater good; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend 20 local high schools upon the occasion of their designation as
Schools of Distinction and Excellence by the New York State Public High
School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA); and

WHEREAS, The purpose of the NYSPHSAA School of Distinction and
School of Excellence Awards is to unite athletic departments in
challenging their teams to achieve a statewide academic honor; this
year, 84 schools earned the School of Distinction Award and 219 schools
earned the School of Excellence Award; and

WHEREAS, To earn the School of Distinction Award, 100% of a school's
varsity teams must qualify and receive the Scholar-Athlete team award;
for a team to earn the Scholar-Athlete award, 75% of that team's roster
must average above a 90.0 grade point average; and

WHEREAS, This year's Schools of Distinction include: Comsewogue High
School (25 teams), Earl L. Vandermeulen High School (22 teams),
Eastport-South Manor Jr./Sr. High School (26 teams), Greenport High
School (8 teams), Miller Place High School (23 teams), Pierson
Middle/High School (10 teams), Shelter Island School (8 teams),
Shoreham-Wading River High School (26 teams), Ward Melville Senior High
School (33 teams), and Tuckahoe High School (19 teams); and

WHEREAS, To earn the School of Excellence Award, 75% of a school's
varsity teams must qualify and receive the Scholar-Athlete team award;
for a team to earn the Scholar-Athlete award, 75% of that team's roster
must average above a 90.0 grade point average; and

WHEREAS, This year's Schools of Excellence include: East Hampton
High School (25 teams), Longwood High School (22 teams), Mattituck
Jr./Sr. High School (18 teams), Mount Sinai High School (22 teams),
Newfield High School (13 teams), Riverhead Senior High School (22
teams), Rocky Point High School (20 teams), Southampton High School (19
teams), Southold Jr./Sr. High School (14 teams), and Westhampton Beach
Senior High School (20 teams); and

WHEREAS, Athletically and academically, the varsity teams of these
distinguished schools have proven themselves to be an impressive
combination of talent and hard work, reflecting favorably on their
school; and

WHEREAS, All the student athletes from these select schools have
clearly utilized dedication, determination, and teamwork in providing a
lasting contribution to the spirit of excellence which is a tradition of
their school; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend 20 local high schools upon the occasion of their designation as
Schools of Distinction and Excellence by the New York State Public High
School Athletic Association; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the
aforementioned NYSPHSAA Schools of Distinction and Excellence.