HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 99-4693, by Representatives Ballasiotes and Wensman

      WHEREAS, The City of Mercer Island is known for having a first-rate public school system; and

      WHEREAS, Schools in the city are a galvanizing force, drawing volunteer involvement at every level, be it tutoring, attending school board meetings, assisting with athletics, and lending support and spirit at athletic events; and

      WHEREAS, Mercer Island has never failed to pass a school levy, and its students consistently have the highest test scores in the state.  Ninety percent of the school district's high school graduates go to college; and

      WHEREAS, In sports, champions abound, such as United States Olympic gold medal swimmer Mary Wayte and Mercer Island High School coach Ed Pepple, who has won more basketball games than any coach in the state; and

      WHEREAS, This year, Mercer Island has built upon that success this year in numerous endeavors; and

      WHEREAS, As an example, Ryan Collins, David Hardisty, Raina Kim, Elliot Prasse-Freeman, Peter Tempest, and Timothy Wan were recently named National Merit Finalists from Mercer Island High School; and

      WHEREAS, Seventy-four students from the marketing department at Mercer Island High School competed at the Regional DECA conference.  Twenty-four went on to compete at the state conference in Bellevue this past March.  Nine students won awards from first place to seventh place and will compete at the national level in Orlando, Florida, April 23 through 29, 1999; and

      WHEREAS, The names of these outstanding students are:  James Defty‑-first place; Mary Johnstone‑-second place; Kelly Lisbakken‑-second place; Sara Moyal‑-fourth place; Andrew Barnette‑-sixth place; Allison Rosenthal‑-second place; Chriss Cahoon‑-seventh place; and Daniel Bonjour‑-seventh place.  The students were diligently instructed by Carol Wiseley, the DECA teacher; and

      WHEREAS, Cacky Calderon and Corey Polis will be attending the leadership academy in Orlando at the same time the DECA conference is being held; and

      WHEREAS, The Mercer Island Debaters are:  Mayan Bomsztyk, Nathan Burstein, Morgan Cohen-Ross, Tom Geggel, Michelle Goodstein, Nicole Kelleher, Peter Leung, Jeslyn Miller, Dan Prince, and Sid Velamoor; and

      WHEREAS, The Mercer Island High School Boys Basketball Team head coach Ed Pepple; coaches Kyle Pebble, Lane Davenport, Bill Wiley, Paul Lagerstedt, and Omar Parker; trainer Vito Masinelli; team manager David Sanford; and team members Elliot Prasse-Freeman, Tyler Besecker, Josh Fisher, Taj Mathews, Justin McCullum, Justin Waldie, Blair Richards, Matt Logie, Willie Hutson, Gavin Cree, John Oliver, and Jason Edwards share in the Mercer Island High School Boys Basketball Team's success by combining outstanding coaching with outstanding performance;

      NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the state of Washington honor the 1999 Mercer Island students listed above; and

      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Co-Chief Clerks of the House of Representatives to the Principal of Mercer Island High School.

          I hereby certify this to be a true and correct copy of

         Resolution 4693 adopted by the House of Representatives

                             April 23, 1999.

________________________________             _____________________________

Timothy A. Martin, Co-Chief Clerk            Dean R. Foster Co-Chief Clerk