LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Nedayah Gray upon the occasion of being
named the 2012 Youth of the Year by the Boys & Girls Club of Albany

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay
tribute to those young people within the great Empire State who have
made strong contributions to their communities and who serve as role
models for their peers; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Nedayah Gray upon the occasion of being named the 2012 Youth of the Year
by the Boys & Girls Club of Albany; and
WHEREAS, At the age of 17, Nedayah Gray is a true example of an
extraordinary young woman; and
WHEREAS, This auspicious award is the highest honor a Boys & Girls
Club member can receive; it recognizes outstanding contributions to a
family, school, community and to the Boys & Girls Club; and
WHEREAS, Nedayah Gray is actively involved in SMART Girls, a program
designed to help guide and assist young girls to develop into productive
citizens; and
WHEREAS, Often taking the role of group leader, Nedayah Gray relates
well to the other girls in the SMART Girls program and always encourages
them to do their best; and
WHEREAS, Nedayah Gray is also a youth mentor at her Boys & Girls Club
and helps counselors with their groups, specifically during homework
time; and
WHEREAS, Within her community, Nedayah Gray is actively involved at
her local soup kitchen; she and her fellow teammates prepare and give
away lunch and dinners to the young and elderly of the community; and
WHEREAS, A student at Albany High School, Nedayah Gray has been
involved in the school orchestra for nine years; she is also enrolled in
the Albany Youth Court and has traveled to Alabama with the Freedom
Riders; and
WHEREAS, Nedayah Gray genuinely loves being involved in extracurric-
ular activities such as being a Youth Prosecutor through the College of
St. Rose; and
WHEREAS, Additionally, on the 50th Anniversary of the Freedom Riders,
Nedayah Gray had the unique opportunity to attend a sit down meal with
the Freedom Riders and Wyatt T. Walker, Martin Luther King, Jr.' s best
friend; subsequently, she visited local churches, community centers and
schools to share her remarkable experience; and
WHEREAS, Nedayah Gray's short-term goal is to attend John Jay College
for Criminal Justice; she then intends on pursuing a career in law to
ultimately become a District Attorney; and
WHEREAS, To prepare herself for her career path, Nedayah Gray has
served as an intern with the Family Court and also with the Commissions
of Jurors Office; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to honor the youth
of today, and leaders of tomorrow, whose character and achievements best
exemplify the ideals and values cherished by this great State and
Nation; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Nedayah Gray upon the occasion of being named the 2012 Youth of
the Year by the Boys & Girls Club of Albany; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Nedayah Gray.