LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Ashley Newman upon the occasion of her
designation as recipient of the Vidie L. McLaughlin Award by the Black
Women's Association of Albany on June 14, 2014

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to act, in accord with
its long-standing traditions, honoring 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; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Ashley Newman upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the
Vidie L. McLaughlin Award by the Black Women's Association of Albany, to
be celebrated at its 9th Annual Marian I. Hughes Scholarship Awards
Luncheon on Saturday, June 14, 2014, at The Desmond Hotel, Albany, New
York; and
WHEREAS, The Black Women's Association of Albany (BWAA) was founded on
September 21, 1977, by a group of dynamic women with the purpose to
stimulate social awareness, encourage cultural growth, help youth real-
ize their full potential through education and serve as positive role
models for African American women of all ages; and
WHEREAS, The Vidie L. McLaughlin Award is given annually by BWAA
member, the Honorable Carolyn McLaughlin, in memory of her mother; and
WHEREAS, A Senior at Columbia High School, Ashley Newman has an
impressive 99.7% GPA and won the AP Scholar With Honors Award; she was
recently profiled in the TIMES UNION as one of the Top High School Scho-
lars in the Capital District, and has also been featured on News Chan-
nels 10 and 13; and
WHEREAS, With a true passion for science, Ashley Newman conducted
research on Type 1 Diabetes at the Center for Cell Biology at Albany
Medical College; her research, both impressive and original, led to her
designation as recipient of a Spotlight on Youth Award; and
WHEREAS, In addition, she has twice been her school's Science Olympiad
Team Captain, and subsequently won an Award of Excellence from the
National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Students; and
WHEREAS, Active within her community, Ashley Newman is an assistant
dance instructor and applies her talents to various forms of competitive
dancing with Robin's Rising Stars; she is actively involved in the
Community Outreach program of New Hope Family Life Center where she
teaches Sunday School; and
WHEREAS, An avid volunteer, Ashley Newman has given of her time and
energies to deliver Christmas gifts to those in need within her communi-
ty; she has also traveled to Jamaica to donate book bags and school
supplies to the local children; and
WHEREAS, Ashley Newman will attend Georgetown University to major in
Biochemistry, with a long-term goal to become a Reproductive Endocrinol-
ogist; and
WHEREAS, As Ashley Newman takes her leave of Columbia High School, she
leaves a legacy of academic achievement, school involvement and communi-
ty service to which others may aspire; and
WHEREAS, Ashley Newman stands poised on the threshold of a broad and
challenging world; a testament to the love and nurturing care of her
family, friends and school; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is moved to honor Ashley Newman, a
young woman and able scholar, recognizing the value of her labors and
the promise of her future; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Ashley Newman upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of

the Vidie L. McLaughlin Award, to commend her for her outstanding
academic achievement and to extend to her the best wishes of this Legis-
lative Body for a future of purposeful success and well-being, fully
confident of her response to a promising future and appreciative of the
model she represents for all aspiring young people of the Empire State;
and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Ashley Newman.