LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating Sophie Clarke upon the occasion of
capturing the esteemed title of Sole Survivor on Survivor: South Pacific

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay
tribute to those young people within the State of New York who, by
achieving outstanding success in physical as well as mental competi-
tions, have inspired and brought pride to both the State of New York and
their community; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to congratu-
late Sophie Clarke upon the occasion of capturing the esteemed title of
Sole Survivor on Survivor: South Pacific; and
WHEREAS, Survivor: South Pacific, filmed in the vicinity of Upolu,
Samoa, was the 23rd season of the American CBS competitive reality tele-
vision series Survivor, which premiered on Wednesday, September 14,
2011, and aired the finale on Sunday, December 18, 2011; and
WHEREAS, Sophie Clarke was named the winner in the final episode,
defeating Benjamin "Coach" Wade and Albert Destrade in a 6-3-0 vote,
walking away with the First Prize of $1 million; and
WHEREAS, When speaking out about the show and how it changed her, she
recalls it was very nerve-wracking at times; she believed she had her
finger on the pulse of the game, attempting to figure out the other
player's motives; and
WHEREAS, A major part of the game centered on interpersonal relation-
ships, alliances and deceit; one characteristic Sophie Clarke believes
she has, which is being more of an observer than anything else, helped
her to achieve her goal and win the game; and
WHEREAS, A Willsboro native, Sophie Clarke was the Valedictorian of
the Willboro Central School Class of 2007; after which, she taught both
Math and Biology in a small village in Kenya; that same year, she
received the Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York Leader of Tomorrow
Award; and
WHEREAS, In 2011, Sophie Clarke graduated Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta
Kappa at Middlebury College; while there, she served as President of the
college's ski patrol; in 2009, prior to graduating, she studied abroad
and worked at a soup kitchen in Moscow, Russia; and
WHEREAS, Currently, Sophie Clarke is enrolled in Mount Sinai School of
Medicine in New York City, Class of 2015; and
WHEREAS, The loving daughter of Thurston and Antonia Clarke, Sophie
Clarke now stands with just pride in assessing her achievements, recog-
nizing the value of her experience, the satisfaction of her labors and
the joy of her accomplishments; she is appreciative of the support of
her family and community, and eager to face the challenge of new experi-
ences; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate Sophie Clarke upon the occasion of capturing the esteemed
title of Sole Survivor on Survivor: South Pacific; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Sophie Clarke, Willsboro, New York.