LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Raiona Duncan upon the occasion of her
designation as recipient of a Marian I. Hughes 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
Raiona Duncan upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of a
Marian I. Hughes Award by the Black Women's Association of Albany, to be
celebrated at its 9th Annual Marian I. Hughes Scholarship Awards Lunch-
eon 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 BWAA Marian I. Hughes Scholarship Awards were established
in 2005 in memory of Mrs. Hughes, an educational leader who held various
teaching and administrative positions in the City School District of
Albany; she was also an Associate in the New York State Education
Department, the author of two books about the history of public school
education in Albany, and an advocate for better human relations; and
WHEREAS, A Senior at Colonie Central High School, Raiona Duncan has an
impressive 90.2% GPA and will receive an Advanced Regents diploma; she
has taken four Advanced Placement classes and has earned college credits
through Hudson Valley Community College; and
WHEREAS, Active within her school community, Raiona Duncan is a member
of Key Club, French Club, and Gourmet Club; she plays the violin in the
school orchestra and is currently serving a Library Internship; and
WHEREAS, In addition, outside of school, Raiona Duncan has volunteered
at the Regional Food Bank, Equinox and Parsons Child and Family Center;
and
WHEREAS, Raiona Duncan enjoys learning foreign languages such as
Italian and Spanish, and hopes to study abroad as part of her college
experience; she will attend the University at Buffalo and aspires to a
career in International Relations; and
WHEREAS, As Raiona Duncan takes her leave of Colonie Central High
School, she bequeaths a legacy of academic achievement, school involve-
ment and community service to which others may aspire; and
WHEREAS, Raiona Duncan 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 Raiona Duncan, 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 Raiona Duncan upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of
a Marian I. Hughes Award, to commend her for her outstanding academic
achievement and to extend to her the best wishes of this Legislative
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 Raiona Duncan.