TITLE: Congratulating Maria Rafael on being named a 2014 Corpus Christi Caller-Times/Citgo South Texas Distinguished Scholar.

SUMMARY: Congratulating Maria Rafael on being named a 2014 Corpus Christi Caller-Times/Citgo South Texas Distinguished Scholar.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Maria Aly Rafael has been named a 2014 Corpus Christi Caller-Times /Citgo South Texas Distinguished Scholar in recognition of her achievements in the Service and Leadership category; and WHEREAS, The Caller-Times /Citgo South Texas Distinguished Scholars program was established to reward local students who have demonstrated excellence in such areas as academics, athletics, leadership, and community service; since its inception in 1988, some 480 young men and women have been selected for this prestigious honor, with the winners each receiving a stipend to assist with college expenses; and WHEREAS, The daughter of Dr. Marita Rafael and Alexander Rafael, Maria Rafael is a senior at King High School, where she maintains a 105 grade point average and ranks sixth in her class of 536; she has participated in a variety of extracurricular activities, including the student council, the Spanish National Honor Society, the National English Honor Society, the chemistry club, the Coastal Bend Filipino American Association, and Mission Fit Possible, and she also serves as parliamentarian of the Alpha Beta Honor Society and as historian of the Interact club; in addition, Ms. Rafael is an accomplished pianist who has performed at Carnegie Hall three times, as well as in France, Poland, and Norway, and she regularly competes in local, regional, and national contests; after graduation, she plans to study pre-med at The University of Texas with the ultimate goal of becoming a heart surgeon; and WHEREAS, This exceptional young Texan has pursued her goals with tremendous dedication, and she may take great pride in all that she has accomplished as she looks ahead to a future bright with promise; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas Legislature hereby congratulate Maria Rafael on her selection as a 2014 Corpus Christi Caller-Times /Citgo South Texas Distinguished Scholar and extend to her sincere best wishes for continued success; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Ms. Rafael as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Herrero Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 293 was adopted by the House on February 19, 2015, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House