2018 -- H 8308

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2018

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CONGRATULATING LAURA MURPHY OF EAST GREENWICH HIGH SCHOOL FOR

BEING NAMED A 2017 NATIONAL FINALIST FOR THE WENDY'S HIGH SCHOOL

HEISMAN AWARD

     Introduced By: Representatives Giarrusso, Kennedy, Diaz, Barros, and Edwards

     Date Introduced: June 12, 2018

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, The Wendy's High School Heisman Award was created in 1994 to honor

America's high school student-athletes. Each fall, the program recognizes the most talented high

school male and female seniors for their excellence in academics, athletics, and community

involvement. Each school can nominate one male and one female student-athlete. The program

receives approximately 1.4 million applicants from 30,000 high schools. This field is narrowed to

1,020 State Finalists, ten male and ten females per state plus the District of Columbia, and then

the field is further narrowed to 102 state winners, one male and one female from each state plus

the District of Columbia. Finally, in Mid-November, a panel of judges selects ten National

Finalists; and

     WHEREAS, Laura Murphy, a Senior at East Greenwich High School, is a standout

athlete who has accomplished much, and overcome much, in the sport of Track & Field. She is a

five-time Rhode Island State Track Champion in the 400 meter race, 300 meter race, the 4 x 100

relay, the 4 x 200 relay, and the 4 x 400 relay. She is a two-time Freshman Indoor State Track

Champion in the 55 meter race and the 300 meter race, a three time Freshman Outdoor State

Track Champion in the 100 meter race, 200 meter race and the 400 meter race. She also holds two

school records in the 4 x 100 relay and the 4 x 200 relay, was named the MVP of the Indoor

Track Team, was a competitor at the New Balance National Indoor event in the 60 meter dash,

and was a competitor at the New Balance Nationals Outdoor event in the 100 meter race, 400

meter race and the long jump; and

     WHEREAS, Laura Murphy has accomplished so much athletically and academically

despite facing serious injuries that imperiled her athletic career and her ability to perform in the

classroom. She tore a hamstring in her sophomore year and was warned by her surgeon that

recovery would take nine months. Instead, she returned to competing in five months and regained

her championship form. In her Junior year, she was diagnosed with acute vocal cord paralysis and

received a poor prognosis for recovery. Although she lost her voice and was unable to talk in

class or communicate verbally with anyone, she persevered and used writing and artwork to make

her "voice" heard. Once again she overcame the odds, with her voice returning in time for her to

sing at the spring talent show; and

     WHEREAS, Laura is an outstanding student who excels in both the classroom and in her

community. Some of her academic achievements include being a National Merit Scholarship

winner, one of eight from Rhode Island, receiving the Harvard Book Award, the Pell Medal for

Excellence in U.S. History and the AP Scholar Award, and being named to the National Honor

Society. She has also received the Rhode Island Scholar Athlete Award, the Celebrating Art

Award, and was named All-State Chorus Soprano; and

     WHEREAS, Laura also uses her considerable talents to make her school and the

community better places in which to attend and live. She serves on the Student Council, is the

Founder and President of the Spark Notes A Cappella Club, is the Editor-In-Chief of the

Spectrum, the school paper, is the President of the Interact Community Service Group, is the

Founder of the East Greenwich High School Heart-Safe School Initiative, and is a St. Elizabeth's

Nursing Home Volunteer; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations congratulates East Greenwich High School Senior Laura Murphy for

being named a 2017 National Finalist for the Wendy's High School Heisman Award. We

furthermore wish her continued success in all her future endeavors; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Ms. Laura Murphy.

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