TITLE: Congratulating Maria Zuniga on her advancement to the national finals of the Poetry Out Loud: National Recitation Contest.

SUMMARY: Congratulating Maria Zuniga on her advancement to the national finals of the Poetry Out Loud: National Recitation Contest.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to recognize Maria Zuniga, who has advanced to the national finals of the Poetry Out Loud: National Recitation Contest held in Washington, D.C., on April 28 and 29, 2011; and WHEREAS, A student at Coppell High School, Maria will join 53 other finalists from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico to compete for the national championship; as the winner of the state competition, Maria received a prize of $200, a stipend of $500 for her school to buy poetry books, and the opportunity to compete at the national level for a total of $50,000 in scholarship awards and school stipends, including the first place prize of a $20,000 scholarship; and WHEREAS, The Poetry Out Loud: National Recitation Contest encourages high school students to learn about great poetry through memorization, performance, and competition; this outstanding program helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about their literary heritage; and WHEREAS, This prestigious competition draws on the resurgent popularity of poetry as an oral art form to motivate a new generation of students to take up its study and apply it to their daily lives, and it is truly fitting that Maria be recognized for her exceptional achievement; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 82nd Legislature, hereby commend Maria Zuniga on her hard work and talent and extend to her best wishes for continued success in all her endeavors; and, be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for her as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate. Harris President of the Senate I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on March 7, 2011.