Senate Resolution No. 2699

BY: Senator BRESLIN

HONORING Naomi Elizabeth Mereday upon the occasion
of her designation as recipient of the Charlotte Ann
Criner Award by the Black Women's Association of
Albany on June 10, 2017

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
pay tribute to those young people within the great Empire State who have
made strong contributions to their communities and who serve as role
models for their peers; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Naomi Elizabeth Mereday upon the occasion of her designation as
recipient of the Charlotte Ann Criner Award by the Black Women's
Association of Albany, to be celebrated at its Marian I. Hughes
Scholarship Awards Reception on Saturday, June 10, 2017, at The Linda
WAMC's Performing Arts Studio in Albany, New York; and

WHEREAS, The Black Women's Association of Albany (BWAA) was founded
on September 21, 1977, by a group of dynamic women with the purpose to
stimulate political and social awareness, encourage cultural growth,
help youth realize their full potential through education and serve as
positive role models for African American women of all ages; and

WHEREAS, The BWAA Marian I. Hughes Scholarship Awards were
established in 2005, in memory of Miriam I. Hughes, an educational
leader who held various teaching and administrative positions in the
City School District of Albany; she was also an Associate in the New
York State Education Department, the author of two books about the
history of public school education in Albany, and an advocate for better
human relations; and

WHEREAS, Naomi Elizabeth Mereday, a senior at Bethlehem Central
School, engaged in a rigorous academic program which included Enriched
Algebra 2, Principles of Engineering, and Advanced Placement Physics;
and

WHEREAS, An active scholar, Naomi Elizabeth Mereday is Treasurer of
the Genders and Sexualities Alliance (GSA) and a member of both the Art
Club and Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD); and

WHEREAS, Dedicated to the well-being of her community, Naomi
Elizabeth Mereday volunteered at the Center for Disability Services,
Kitten Angels, local food pantries and Delmar Place, assisting with
activities for the elderly residents; and

WHEREAS, For her achievements in high school, Naomi Elizabeth
Mereday won the RPI computing medal and scholarship last year; and

WHEREAS, Naomi Elizabeth Mereday plans to study Computer Engineering
at Binghamton University; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to commend those
students of outstanding character, who have shown initiative and
commitment toward constantly pursuing higher goals for themselves, and
acting as role models of leadership to be emulated by their peers; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Naomi Elizabeth Mereday upon the occasion of her designation as
recipient of the Charlotte Ann Criner Award by the Black Women's
Association of Albany on June 10, 2017, and to extend to her the best
wishes of this Legislative Body for a future of purposeful success and
well-being; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Naomi Elizabeth Mereday.