LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 75th Anniversary of The Mary
Louis Academy

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend those institutions of commitment and high achievement whose
purpose and endeavors prove a dedication to the pursuit of excellence in
the education of the young women of this noble Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 75th Anniversary of The Mary Louis Academy, to be celebrated
on March 25, 2011; and
WHEREAS, Established in 1936, The Mary Louis Academy in Jamaica
Estates, New York, is a Catholic college preparatory school for young
women sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Brentwood, New York; all
graduating receive a New York State Regents diploma and well more than
90% receive New York State Regents diplomas with Advanced Designation,
the State of New York's highest academic standard; and
WHEREAS, In a world increasingly impersonal and technological, The
Mary Louis Academy endeavors to empower each student to realize and
value her own spiritual, intellectual, physical, emotional, and social
potential; and
WHEREAS, The Mary Louis Academy guides its students toward academic
excellence, where knowledge is set in the context of faith, so that its
graduates may develop a life vision characterized by wisdom; and
WHEREAS, Although Mother Mary Louis passed away on May 22, 1932, her
dream of establishing an academy for young women in the Jamaica Estates
area lived on in the hearts and minds of her congregation of sisters;
and
WHEREAS, The first students at The Mary Louis Academy were 57 young
women who were greeted by a faculty of eight sisters on the first day of
school on September 14, 1936; classes were held in the Mary Louis
Convent adjoining the school while plans for the permanent building were
formulated; and
WHEREAS, The completed school building, housed at the address of 176-
21 Wexford Terrace in Jamaica Estates, New York, took shape over a peri-
od of two years and finally opened its doors on October 16, 1938; the
stated purpose of the Academy was to educate young women to take their
places in society and contribute to the world; in order to achieve this
purpose, a demanding academic program was introduced; and
WHEREAS, From the very beginning, a variety of extra-curricular activ-
ities extended the interests of the students; MARIEL, the school newspa-
per, published its first issue in 1936; the Glee Club and Orchestra, the
Drama Club Genesians, and the language clubs fostered student talents;
and
WHEREAS, The Mary Louis Academy's Athletic Association sponsored field
days and many intramural events; the Christmas Pageant, sponsored by the
Sodality, became an annual event; and
WHEREAS, The reputation for academic excellence at The Mary Louis
Academy quickly spread and so many young women had sought to be educated
there; less than 20 years after its founding, the school's population
had outgrown the building; in 1956, the new wing was opened and the
capacity of the school had doubled; and
WHEREAS, Today, technology plays an ever-expanding role in the peda-
gogical practices at Mary Louis Academy; in the mid-1930s, it was
considered a heroic act of faith to establish a school; in the midst of
The Great Depression, when the prevailing spirit was one of pessimism,

building a school was a statement of belief in the future, and in the
contributions of Catholic education to that future; and
WHEREAS, The founders of Mary Louis were women of great faith and
vision; they saw the women who graduated from the Mary Louis Academy as
a force for good in society; and
WHEREAS, Ably led by its Principal Sister Kathleen McKinney, The Mary
Louis Academy continues to prosper today and into the future; and
WHEREAS, Within the 21st Century, The Mary Louis Academy stands
prepared to reach out, in earnest and enthusiastic quest of its mission,
to promote the maximum growth of every student, establishing standards
and building skills which will carry its students and the citizens of
its community into the future; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 75th Anniversary of The Mary Louis Academy; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Principal Sister Kathleen McKinney, The Mary Louis Academy.