LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Trent Kowalik of Wantagh, New York, upon
the occasion of receiving a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading
Actor in a Musical

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize the dedi-
cation and commitment of our young people whose commitment and creative
talents have contributed to the entertainment and cultural enrichment of
the citizens of 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
Trent Kowalik of Wantagh, New York, upon the occasion of receiving a
Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical for his
starring role in "Billy Elliot: The Musical"; and
WHEREAS, One of three boys who lead the cast of "Billy Elliot: The
Musical," Trent Kowalik has excelled at ballet, tap and Irish step-danc-
ing since he was three-years-old; and
WHEREAS, Trent Kowalik began lessons 10 years ago at Dorothy's School
of Dance in Bellmore, where he learned tap and ballet and, later, jazz
and hip-hop; the school allowed him to join tuition-free, because he was
a boy; and
WHEREAS, When he was four-years-old, Trent Kowalik was allowed to take
step-dancing lessons at the Inishfree School of Irish Dance, based out
of Ridge, where he built on the moves of his idol, Michael Flatley, the
creator of "Riverdance"; in April 2006, he became the youngest American
to win the World Irish Dancing Championship in Belfast, Northern
Ireland; and
WHEREAS, Trent Kowalik left Wantagh Middle School as a seventh-grader,
after being cast in the London stage version of "Billy Elliot: The
Musical"; the show opened on Broadway on November 13, 2008; and
WHEREAS, Based on the 2000 film that garnered three Oscar nominations,
"Billy Elliot: The Musical" is set against the British miners' strike of
the 1980s and follows Billy's journey as a boy, after he stumbles across
a ballet class while on his way to a boxing lesson; and
WHEREAS, A young man of singular distinction and superlative ability,
Trent Kowalik has established a high standard of excellence and purpose-
fulness of life rarely achieved in youthful years; and
WHEREAS, Poised eagerly with enthusiasm and determined purpose, Trent
Kowalik now stands honorably, with just pride in his accomplishments and
in eager anticipation of future challenges, understanding and appreciat-
ing the caring counsel and support provided by his teachers, family and
friends; and
WHEREAS, With Trent Kowalik throughout have been his parents, Mike and
Lauretta Kowalik, and three sisters, Daria, Siobhan and Carine, all of
whom feel privileged to be a part of his life and rejoice in his many
achievements; and
WHEREAS, It is most fitting that we take time to celebrate the arts of
our Nation, to honor our artists, and to express our appreciation to
everyone who patronizes the arts; and as we celebrate the arts, we cele-
brate and give thanks to our American freedom, the only atmosphere in
which artists can truly create and in which art is truly the expression
of the soul; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when young
people of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
the great State of New York; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is pleased to have this opportunity to
express its highest admiration for Trent Kowalik and to extend to him

its best wishes for a future of purposeful success and well-being, fully
confident of his response to a promising future and appreciative of the
model he represents for all aspiring young people of the Empire State;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Trent Kowalik of Wantagh, New York, upon the occasion of receiving
a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Trent Kowalik.