LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Christopher Pope upon the occasion of
being named Student of the Year by the New York Association for
Continuing/Community Education, Inc.

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to take notice of and
acknowledge those individuals who have distinguished themselves through
their exemplary pursuit of education as adults; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Christopher Pope upon the occasion of being named Student of the Year by
the New York Association for Continuing/Community Education, Inc.; and
WHEREAS, Christopher Pope was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York
with his three brothers and three sisters; his mother, a church deacon,
has always been a strong influence in his life, encouraging her children
to complete their education; and
WHEREAS, Christopher Pope's education would falter at age 17 when he
found himself becoming a father; in order to support his daughter,
Shabrea, he dropped out of the 10th grade and worked at different
unskilled jobs; and
WHEREAS, At age 21, Christopher Pope left New York and went to North
Carolina to care for his ailing grandmother; while bringing her back to
New York, en-route she died at her sister's house; and
WHEREAS, At age 22, Christopher Pope became employed at a New York
Airport where he worked for approximately six years; although he was
promoted to better jobs, he states he was "dealing with the wrong
people" and lost his job; and
WHEREAS, Christopher Pope's mother encouraged him to go back to school
and become more independent; without a job, at age 28, he found himself
homeless and took residence at the Yonkers Sharing Community Shelter and
then at the Gospel Mission Home; and
WHEREAS, It was during this time that Christopher Pope decided things
had to be different; he soon enrolled in Yonkers Pathways to Success at
the VIVE School in April 2010 and soon returned home to live with his
mother who had become a church pastor; and
WHEREAS, Christopher Pope had significantly raised his academic scores
in the one year that he entered the National External High School Diplo-
ma Program (NEDP); he soon became a high school graduate from the Yonk-
ers Public Schools at the end of April 2011; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Christopher Pope completed the security guard
training and passed all the required tests to become a certified guard;
he began work as a security guard in the Glenwood area of Yonkers, where
he was perceived as a very good worker with a wonderful personality; and
WHEREAS, Prepared by the Employment Office of Pathways to Success,
Christopher Pope's resume indicates all of his accomplishments; he took
part in academic classes, job training, job services, and everything the
school was able to offer him; and
WHEREAS, In June of 2011, Christopher Pope and one of his sisters were
recognized by the Yonkers Career and Technical Education Council as
Outstanding Students of the Year; they both earned this honor because
they received their high school diplomas at the same time from Yonkers
Pathways to Success; today, Christopher is the "Poster Man" having
appeared in the issue of YONKERS RISING; and
WHEREAS, YONKERS RISING is a local publication which advertised the
Yonkers Public Schools' preparing to celebrate 30 years of participation
in the NEDP; Christopher Pope continues to succeed with a strong back-
ground from the Yonkers Adult Program as an enrollee in the College of
New Rochelle; and

WHEREAS, Throughout all of his life struggles and schooling, Christo-
pher Pope's mother's unconditional support, encouragement and desire to
see him succeed has helped in keeping him on the right path; after being
homeless, he has grown to become a high school graduate, full time
employee, college student and a self-sustaining exemplary member of
society; and
WHEREAS, Christopher Pope may now stand with just pride in assessing
his achievements, experiencing the satisfaction of his labors and the
joy of his accomplishments, eager to face the challenge of new ventures;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Christopher Pope upon the occasion of being named Student of the
Year by the New York Association for Continuing/Community Education,
Inc.; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Christopher Pope.