LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Williamsville East High School upon
the occasion of its designation as recipient of the College Board Middle
States Regional Award for Excellence and Innovation in the Arts

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 youth 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 commend
Williamsville East High School upon the occasion of its designation as
recipient of the College Board Middle States Regional Award for Excel-
lence and Innovation in the Arts; the school will be recognized for its
long-standing commitment to arts education at the College Board's
National Forum in October of 2011; and
WHEREAS, Dedicated to promoting excellence and equity in education,
the College Board is a mission-driven not-for-profit organization which
connects students to college success and opportunity; founded in 1900,
the College Board was created to expand access to higher education; and
WHEREAS, The College Board has named one outstanding school in each of
its six regions as the winner of its first annual Award for Excellence
and Innovation in the Arts; The College Board established the award
program to recognize and celebrate the achievements of six K-12 schools
which have expanded student potential by promoting creativity, inno-
vation and critical thinking skills through arts related programs; and
WHEREAS, Williamsville East High School in East Amherst, New York, was
selected as both the Middle States Regional Winner and this year's
National Winner; and
WHEREAS, Williamsville East High School's Connections and Collab-
orations program, founded in 2000, extends beyond Williamsville High;
the yearlong program brings together students from Buffalo and its
surrounding suburbs to create a truly community-oriented experience; the
program is built around the work of a guest poet whose own work inspires
students to collaborate on poetry, music, dance and the visual arts; and
WHEREAS, The yearly program culminates in a celebration of poetry,
music, dance and the visual arts, where students have the opportunity to
share their work with the Buffalo community; and
WHEREAS, The College Board Middle States Regional Award for Excellence
and Innovation in the Arts stands as a resolute testimony to Williams-
ville East High School's standards of excellence, its uncompromising
values, unparalleled dedication, and the special teamwork of its family
of students, parents, teachers and administrators, who share common
goals and uncommon expectations; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Williamsville East High School upon the occasion of its desig-
nation as recipient of the College Board Middle States Regional Award
for Excellence and Innovation in the Arts; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Williamsville East High School.