House Concurrent Resolution 56

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING BETHANI GRACE ALMAN UPON BEING CROWNED MISS MISSISSIPPI JUNIOR HIGH 2015.

WHEREAS, Miss Bethani Grace Alman was crowned Miss Mississippi Junior High 2015, while representing Rankin County as Miss Junior High Rankin County in September 2014, capturing the highly pursued No. 1 spot sought after by a competitive field of young ladies who competed for the coveted title to represent Mississippi in the Miss Junior High School America Pageant; and

WHEREAS, Bethani Grace is the beautiful and talented 12-year-old daughter of Buck and Amanda Alman of Pelahatchie, Mississippi, and the granddaughter of Buck and Glenda Alman of Pelahatchie, Mississippi, and Dwight and Dianne Varner of Brandon, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, when Bethani Grace was crowned Miss Mississippi Junior High, she was awarded over $17,000 in scholarships and prizes and was afforded the opportunity to represent the Magnolia State in Washington, D.C.; and

WHEREAS, during her reign as queen, Bethani Grace will travel the State of Mississippi to promote the platform "Be B.R.A.V.E.-Don't Bully," which advances Building Respect and Value for Everyone through classroom, library, and community presentations to school-aged children and their parents to create awareness and to encourage a bully-free and safe environment; and

WHEREAS, through B.R.A.V.E., Bethani Grace hopes to reduce the effects of bullying and increase awareness of bullying in schools and communities; and

WHEREAS, in July 2015, Bethani Grace, an outstanding young lady, will compete for top honors in the Miss Junior High School America pageant, a pageant system that has the highest of moral values, at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida; and

WHEREAS, while the Miss Junior High School America Pageant competition exists for the purpose of providing personal and professional opportunities for junior high school girls, Bethani Grace is already claiming some of these opportunities by helping to craft the laws in Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, more than just a pretty face, 12-year-old Bethani Grace has not allowed her inability to vote for six more years to halt her goals, as she has had a hand in a piece of legislation that would compel teens to volunteer; and

WHEREAS, because Bethani Grace is constantly focused on helping others rather than herself, she has been instrumental in promoting House Bill 633, Regular Session 2015, which would require students to complete twenty-five hours of community service before graduating; and

WHEREAS, when Bethani Grace is not winning beauty pageants or authoring legislation to help her community, she is receiving recognition as a Kohl's Cares Regional Scholarship Winner, a Presidential Volunteer Service award winner, a Duke TIP Scholar, an honor roll student and a National League Award recipient; and

WHEREAS, in her spare time, Bethani Grace Alman is a member of First Baptist Church of Brandon, Mississippi, and she is a 7th grader at East Rankin Academy; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to acknowledge those achieving excellence, and it is only fitting that we bring special recognition to Bethani Grace Alman, a lovely, talented young lady, who, as Miss Mississippi Junior High 2015, is a source of great honor and pride to her family, community and the entire State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Bethani Grace Alman upon being crowned Miss Mississippi Junior High 2015 and extend sincerest wishes for continued success in all of her future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Bethani Grace Alman and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.