Senate Resolution No. 678

BY: Senator O'MARA

HONORING Tesserae, the yearbook at Corning-Painted
Post High School in Corning, New York, upon the
occasion of its designation as recipient of the
Pacemaker Award by the National Scholastic Press
Association

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to call attention
to those young people within our midst whose nationally acclaimed
accomplishments bring pride to their families, their communities, and to
the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Tesserae, the yearbook at Corning-Painted Post High School in Corning,
New York, upon the occasion of its designation as recipient of the
Pacemaker Award by the National Scholastic Press Association, the
association's highest honor for student work, which was celebrated on
Saturday, April 10, 2021 ; and

WHEREAS, In addition to this most prestigious award, on March 19,
2021, the Columbia Scholastic Press Association honored the 2020
Tesserae, Volume 7, "But You Already Know That" with a Gold Crown; and

WHEREAS, The Columbia Scholastic Press Association and National
Scholastic Press Association support journalism education and honor
excellence in a variety of media nationwide with their annual Crown and
Pacemaker Awards; and

WHEREAS, This prestigious award honors excellence in coverage and
content, journalistic reporting, photography and design, digital content
and student editorial leadership; only six high school yearbooks in the
country earned both honors, and Tesserae is the only one in New York
State; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, this is the fourth year in a row that Tesserae
has earned both honors, which is the longest active streak in the nation
for a high school yearbook; and

WHEREAS, Tesserae is the student-run yearbook at Corning-Painted
Post High School in Corning, New York; this 43-student program is
offered as a class with an emphasis on coverage, reporting and writing,
photography, design, advertising and marketing, and video and digital
media; and

WHEREAS, The program operates independent from administrative
oversight, and the Corning-Painted Post High School and district
administration affirms its student journalists' editorial independence,
including their First Amendment rights to free speech and freedom of the
press; and

WHEREAS, This occasion presents an opportunity for this Legislative
Body to wish members of the Corning-Painted Post High School Tesserae,

yearbook committee continued success throughout their high school years
and beyond; and

WHEREAS, Poised eagerly with enthusiasm and determined purpose,
these scholars now stand honorably, with just pride in their
accomplishments and in eager anticipation of future challenges,
understanding and appreciating the caring counsel and support provided
by their teachers, advisers and parents; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Tesserae, the yearbook at Corning-Painted Post High School in
Corning, New York, upon the occasion of its designation as recipient of
the Pacemaker Award by the National Scholastic Press Association; and be
it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the members of Tesserae, Corning-Painted Post High School
in Corning, New York.