LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Arvind Mahankali upon the occasion
of being crowned the 2013 Scripps National Spelling Bee Champion on May
30, 2013

WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to commend and pay
tribute to those young people who, by achieving outstanding success in
educational competition, have inspired and brought pride to our majestic
Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to congratu-
late Arvind Mahankali upon the occasion of being crowned the 2013
Scripps National Spelling Bee Champion on Thursday, May 30, 2013, at the
Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Mary-
land; and
WHEREAS, Arvind Mahankali, a 13 year old from Bayside Hills, Queens,
is an eighth grade student at Nathaniel Hawthorne Middle School 74 in
Bayside, New York, who enjoys tennis, basketball, and drama; he loves
math and science, and hopes to one day pursue a career as a physicist;
and
WHEREAS, A speaker of Telugu and Spanish, this was Arvind Mahankali's
fourth consecutive trip to the Scripps National Spelling Bee; he placed
ninth in 2010, and finished in third place in both 2011 and 2012; and
WHEREAS, The 2013 Scripps National Spelling Bee was broadcast nation-
wide on ESPN, and welcomed 281 spellers from around the world; the spel-
lers ranged in age from 8-14 years old, and were all vying for the
esteemed title of champion; and
WHEREAS, This astute young scholar was sponsored by THE DAILY NEWS,
and won top honors after 16 rounds of competition by correctly spelling
the word "knaidel", a German-Yiddish word that means matzo dumpling; and
WHEREAS, Known as the pride of Bayside, Arvind Mahankali was urged on
by his proud parents Srinivas and Bhavani, and younger brother Srinath;
Principal Anthony Armstrong was also in attendance to support his
student; and
WHEREAS, Arvind Mahankali, in achieving this high honor, may take just
pride in the inspiration and contribution to the spirit of excellence he
brings to his family, friends, school and region; and
WHEREAS, Educational competitions which serve to better prepare our
students for their future participation in the marketplace of ideas are
worthy of praise and support; and
WHEREAS, Poised with enthusiasm and determined purpose, this scholar
now stands honorably, in eager anticipation of future challenges, under-
standing and appreciating the caring counsel and support provided by his
teachers and parents; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Arvind Mahankali upon the occasion of being crowned the
2013 Scripps National Spelling Bee Champion on May 30, 2013; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Arvind Mahankali.