LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Keelie A. Sheridan, Ms. Brooklyn
2009, upon the occasion of the Be Proud Foundation of Brooklyn's Welcom-
ing Celebration in her honor on March 26, 2009

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to act, in accord with
its long-standing traditions, to honor today's young people, the leaders
of tomorrow, whose character and achievements exemplify the ideals and
values cherished by this great State and Nation and to applaud organiza-
tions, such as Brooklyn's Be Proud Foundation, which encourage and
support them; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to congratu-
late Keelie A. Sheridan, who was named Ms. Brooklyn 2009 on February 22,
2009, upon the occasion of the Be Proud Foundation of Brooklyn's Welcom-
ing Celebration in her honor, to be held at Brooklyn's New York Steak
House on March 26, 2009; and
WHEREAS, Keelie Sheridan, the daughter of Maxine Gasser and Michael
Sheridan, was born in 1986 in Sioux City, Iowa; the family ultimately
settled in New York State's Capital District, where Keelie grew up; and
WHEREAS, A talented dancer, Keelie Sheridan began her performance
career at age 10 as a principal dancer with the Wild Irish Acres School
of Irish Dance, with which she performed in Ireland, Canada and across
the United States; she also loves the theatre and has trained at the
American Academy of Dramatic Arts, the Stella Adler Studio, and the HB
Studio; and
WHEREAS, She currently dances with the Niall O'Leary School in New
York City and, this spring, will dance with the school as a featured
dancer at the 2009 Irish Step Dancing World Championships; she is also a
junior at SUNY's Empire State College Distance Learning Center, majoring
in English and Theatre; and
WHEREAS, Keelie Sheridan has been involved with the Miss America
organization since she was 17; she earned the title of Miss Fonda Fair
in 2008 and, a proud Brooklynite since she moved to Manhattan Beach in
2005, she looks forward to representing Brooklyn in the 2009 Miss New
York State Pageant; and
WHEREAS, In addition to her studies, rehearsals and practice sessions,
she makes time to serve and be an involved member of her community doing
online mentoring, being a literary pen pal, serving holiday meals at
soup kitchens, and working with underprivileged youth in the performing
arts; and
WHEREAS, Keelie Sheridan exemplifies the potential inherent in our
young men and women, who together with our children are our most
precious resource; she is an outstanding role model for her peers and
for the young people with whom she works and stands with poise and
purpose to face the challenges of new experiences; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Keelie A. Sheridan, Ms. Brooklyn 2009, upon the occasion of
her designation for special recognition by Brooklyn's Be Proud Founda-
tion on March 26, 2009, and to commend the foundation for hosting this
special Welcoming Celebration; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Keelie A. Sheridan and to Raisa Chernina, President and
Founder of the Be Proud Foundation.