Title
Proclamation recognizing Jackie Betz, Erin Drischler, and Megan Neuf, graduates of Shaler Area High School, for earning the national Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Award for public service.
Body
WHEREAS, Shaler Area High School graduates Jackie Betz, Erin Drischler and Megan Neuf collectively received one of five national Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Awards for public service, one of the nation's highest honors for humanitarian work, on June 17, 2008 at the Jefferson Awards national ceremony in Washington, D.C.; and
WHEREAS, in March 2008, the three young ladies were among eight winners honored in the local 2007 Jefferson Awards, sponsored by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, The Pittsburgh Foundation and The Heinz Endowments; and
WHEREAS, the students created a service group called “M-Powerment” and using a $2,500 grant from the Allegheny County Girls as Grantmakers program, organized an assembly at Shaler Area High School to raise awareness among young women about rape and sexual violence; and
WHEREAS, their success with the assembly led to an all-women's conference at Chatham University and presentations to middle and intermediate school students on topics such as body image and sexual violence; and
WHEREAS, the Jefferson Awards for Public Service were created in 1972 by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, U.S. Senator Robert Taft, Jr., and Sam Beard to establish a “Nobel Prize” to encourage and honor individuals for their achievements and contributions to public and community service, and the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Award, which was added in 1974, is the highest distinction a local Jefferson Award recipient can achieve; and
WHEREAS, the classmates were selected from among 12,000 nominees and 350 local winners nationwide;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Allegheny County Council does hereby recognize Ms. Jackie Betz, Ms. Erin Drischler, and Ms. Megan Neuf for earning the prestigious Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Award. You are an inspi...
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