Fiscal Note
No appropriation required.
Title
Congratulating and commending Deidre Green on winning the Wisconsin Education Association Council's School Bell Award.
Body
WHEREAS, Deidre Green is a resident of Madison's Southside and a senior at La Follette High School and has been a writer, editor and columnist for the popular community newspaper Simpson Street Free Press for almost four years, covering issues related to health and education; and
WHEREAS, for the past two years, Deidre has penned "The Gap According to Green," a widely-read column that is part of an ongoing Simpson Street Free Press series known as Bridging the Achievement Gap; and
WHEREAS, Deidre's column is a provocative mix of social critique and practical academic advice aimed at her peers, dealing with the minority achievement gap in new and interesting ways and using personal observations and stories to shed new light on important education issues; and
WHEREAS, Deidre's work has gained a large following among area young people; and
WHEREAS, last year, Deidre gained statewide recognition when the Wisconsin Education Association Council presented her with its annual School Bell Award for excellence in journalism; and
WHEREAS, this award recognizes Wisconsin reporters, broadcasters and school newspapers for outstanding coverage of critical education issues; and
WHEREAS, Deidre's work was entered in the "Public Media" category because the Simpson Street Free Press, while written by students, is not a school newspaper; and
WHEREAS, Deidre is the first individual student and the youngest writer in the award's 35-year history to win in this category; and
WHEREAS, all previous winners in this category have been seasoned journalists from newspaper and television stations around Wisconsin;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and Common Council congratulate and commend Deidre Green on winning the Wisconsin Education Association Council's School Bell Award.