TITLE: Commemorating the inaugural academic year of the El Paso Leadership Academy.

SUMMARY: Commemorating the inaugural academic year of the El Paso Leadership Academy.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, The El Paso Leadership Academy, a public charter school in downtown El Paso, is celebrating its inaugural academic year in 2014-2015; and WHEREAS, Opened in September 2014, EPLA is a small, tuition-free institution designed to better prepare area youth for academic and professional success; the school is providing instruction for sixth-grade students in its first year and will be adding an additional grade in each successive year, until it eventually serves grades 6 through 12; the student body is drawn from the nine school districts in El Paso County and reflects the region's socioeconomic diversity; and WHEREAS, EPLA faculty and staff are dedicated to fostering a culture that promotes high academic expectations and that ensures student learning; after evaluating each student's interests, they will be helping students to relate those interests to possible college majors and careers through internships and the required capstone project; the school will offer visits to a variety of campuses, from the nearby University of Texas at El Paso to Ivy League universities on the East Coast, and students will be encouraged to take dual credit courses to increase their college readiness and begin working toward a degree; and WHEREAS, By inspiring area youth to reach their full potential, the El Paso Leadership Academy is playing a crucial role in the formation of a well-educated and ambitious local workforce that will attract new industries and employment opportunities to the region, and in so doing, it is making significant contributions to the vitality and well-being of the El Paso area; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas Legislature hereby commemorate the inaugural academic year of the El Paso Leadership Academy and honor the school for its commitment to serving the young people of El Paso; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for the school as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. M rquez Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1889 was adopted by the House on May 7, 2015, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House