Senate Resolution No. 2296

BY: Senator CLEARE

HONORING longtime educational professional Delores
Roberts for a lifetime of service upon the occasion
of her retirement

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that teachers of
this great Empire State deserve our recognition as they support students
to reach their goals of integration, independence, and equality in our
communities and society at large; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
longtime educational professional Delores Roberts for a lifetime of
service upon the occasion of her retirement; and

WHEREAS, Achieving a wealth of experience and knowledge of the needs
of the Harlem community over her 30-year career, Delores Roberts grew up
exposed to resources and programs that would help her lead a successful
life outside of Harlem; she attended Wadleigh Secondary School from
grades 7 to 9 and her teachers inspired her by providing students with a
wide range of activities and essential tools; and

WHEREAS, Aspiring towards the mission to give back to her community
and present opportunities to raise awareness and ensure academic success
for our youth, Delores Roberts began teaching as a special educator at
Wadleigh; within a year, she became a crisis intervention teacher for
the CEH/CLASS for emotionally handicapped students; and

WHEREAS, Throughout her tenure, Delores Roberts was able to create
and develop many school-wide initiatives, programs, and events aimed at
developing successful global productive citizens; she founded Swap
Students Court to create a peer-to-peer system aimed to address
low-level infractions; students served as judges, lawyers, and jurors,
which exposed the students to courtrooms and allowed them to participate
in small group workshops facilitated by lawyers; and

WHEREAS, Delores Roberts was the Head Dean and COSA Coordinator for
Student Affairs; Wadleigh students also had the opportunity to
participate in college tours, the CFES College for Every Student
program, foreign exchange programs to Amsterdam and Europe, Big
Brother/Sister internship programs, and a variety of extracurricular
activities; and

WHEREAS, Truly devoted to her students and the Harlem community,
Delores Roberts serves as founder and CEO of the Harlem Luft Initiative
Inc.; the organization is committed to improving youth, through
leadership; these programs have become essential for youth development
in New York's metropolitan area, providing leadership innovation
fundamentals, teamwork workshops, and training; and

WHEREAS, The lifework of Delores Roberts is inextricably linked with
the history of Wadleigh; many times over the past three decades, the
school has been slated for closure of diminution and each time Delores
has rallied to the community to save this neighborhood treasure; today,

Wadleigh Secondary School for the Visual and Performing Arts stands a
beacon and is exemplary of the legacy and vision of Delores Roberts; and

WHEREAS, A great community is only as great as those persons who
provide exemplary service, whether through participation in voluntary
programs, through unique personal achievement in their profession or
other endeavors, or simply through a lifetime of good citizenship; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to have this opportunity
to express its highest admiration for Delores Roberts and to wish her
continued success in all of her future endeavors; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor longtime educational professional Delores Roberts for a lifetime
of service upon the occasion of her retirement; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Delores Roberts.