LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Noela Niyonkuru upon the occasion
of her designation for special recognition as the recipient of a New
York Association for Continuing/Community Education 2012 Student of the
Year Award

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to take note of and
publicly acknowledge 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 proud to congratulate
Noela Niyonkuru upon the occasion of her designation for special recog-
nition as recipient of a New York Association for Continuing/Community
Education (NYACCE) 2012 Student of the Year Award; she will be honored
at NYACCE's 29th Annual Student Awards and Legislative Event on March 13
and 14, 2012, in Albany, New York; and
WHEREAS, NYACCE represents adult education professionals from across
New York State; one of its primary missions is to maintain and expand
education and training opportunities for undereducated adults throughout
the State; and
WHEREAS, NYACCE strives to ensure that the opportunities and successes
afforded these students and thousands of others continue to be avail-
able, and that additional adults in need of these services continue to
be served without barriers; it is well understood that individuals who
continue their education have a better chance of achieving better
employment and a superior quality of life; and
WHEREAS, Noela Niyonkuru understands better than most the value of
education and the challenges and obstacles that are faced by some in
trying to obtain that education, particularly as an adult; and
WHEREAS, Noela Niyonkuru was born in Rwanda twenty-three years ago;
due to political turmoil, she and her family moved to the United Repub-
lic of Tanzania where she attended school at a refugee camp; and
WHEREAS, While at the refugee camp, Noela Niyonkuru strived to advance
her studies and was able to complete the eighth grade, persevering
despite the difficult conditions that surrounded her; and
WHEREAS, In May, 2007, Noela Niyonkuru came to the United States with
her parents, three brothers, and two sisters; and
WHEREAS, Upon arriving in America, Noela Niyonkuru immediately sought
employment, and within two months she had obtained employment working as
an assembly worker for a manufacturing company in Syracuse, New York;
and
WHEREAS, Shortly after gaining employment, Noela Niyonkuru took a
second position as a housekeeper for the Genesee Grande Hotel, adding to
her already demanding schedule; and
WHEREAS, Despite working long hours in order to care for her family,
Noela Niyonkuru still aspired to receive a formal education; and
WHEREAS, In December 2008, Noela Niyonkuru enrolled in the English as
a second language program at the West Side Learning Center, and in June,
2010, she received her Teacher's Assistant Certificate; and
WHEREAS, In order to continue to improve her English, Noela Niyonkuru
enrolled in another English as a second language class through the Syra-
cuse City School District's West Literacy Zone; and
WHEREAS, As a testament to her drive for knowledge, Noela Niyonkuru
decided to attend a six week summer class at the West Literacy Zone and
worked through her summer vacation, so as to not interrupt her momentum
toward achieving her education goals; and
WHEREAS, Noela Niyonkuru continues to be involved in adult education
courses at the West Literacy Zone; she has passed the English oral

proficiency assessment and maintains her ambition to pass the BEST
Literature assessment, obtain her General Education Diploma, and attend
college; and
WHEREAS, In the upcoming year, Noela Niyonkuru plans to take her
United States Citizenship examination; and
WHEREAS, A vibrant, intelligent and caring young woman, Noela Niyonku-
ru has demonstrated integrity and honor while using adult education
programming to change the course of her future; and
WHEREAS, While there are many remarkable stories in the world of adult
education, few are as impressive as that of Noela Niyonkuru, who is an
inspiration to us all; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Noela Niyonkuru upon her designation as recipient of a New
York Association for Continuing/Community Education 2012 Student of the
Year Award; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Noela Niyonkuru.