LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Shawanda Weems for her many years of
dedicated service to the student of the Bronx community

WHEREAS, A great state is only as great as those individuals who perform
exemplary service on behalf of their community, whether through unique
achievement in professional or other endeavors, or simply through a
lifetime of good citizenship; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Shawanda Weems
for exemplary service to the community and the State upon the occasion
of her success and work on leadership in instituting youth physical
fitness programs at Public Middle School 15 in the Bronx; and
WHEREAS, Shawanda Weems, in collaboration with the Youth and Community
Division of New York Road Runners, established the Young Runners Program
at Public Middle School 15 eight years ago when she was diagnosed with
diabetes; and
WHEREAS, The Young Runners Program is an afterschool track team
comprised of middle school students, "The Jaguars", who will participate
for the second straight summer in the International Children's Games in
Athens, Greece; and
WHEREAS, Five years ago, Shawanda Weems started the "Mighty Millers,"
an afterschool component of the Young Runners for grades K-4; she began
these programs to teach children how to make healthy choices early in
their lives, so they will not face health problems in adulthood; and
WHEREAS, These programs have provided students with an alternative to
the school's basketball teams, which were the only organized athletic
activity; and
WHEREAS, Shawanda Weems has contributed endless hours and dedication
to the Young Runners Program, working with her students before, after
and during the school day to implement physical activity and goal-set-
ting into the culture of Public Middle School 15; and
WHEREAS, An English teacher of 14 years, Shawanda Weems believes phys-
ical activity and academic excellence go hand-in-hand; she has witnessed
the positive effect of both on her students' lives; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that when individ-
uals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our attention
it is appropriate to publicly proclaim and commend those individuals for
the edification and emulation of others; and
WHEREAS, Such service, which is truly the Lifeblood of the Community
and the State of New York, so often goes unrecognized and unheralded;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Shawanda Weems for her many years of dedicated service to the
students of the Bronx community; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Shawanda Weems.