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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E239]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING DELEQUA DRAKE
______
HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON
of mississippi
in the house of representatives
Monday, March 2, 2020
Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a
remarkable community servant Ms. Delequa Drake.
Ms. Delequa Drake was born in Natchez, MS on December 12, 1986. She
graduated with honors from Natchez High School in 2005. From there, she
received an Associate of Arts degree from Copiah-Lincoln Community
College in 2007. After receiving her Associate's degree, she
transferred to Mississippi State University to pursue a degree in
education. Upon arrival, she discovered a field (kinesiology) that
piqued her interest as well as fed her burning desire to learn anything
about everything. Two years later, she earned a Bachelor of Science
degree in Education with a concentration in Clinical Exercise
Physiology. It was after this feat that this young adult experienced
one of life's many curveballs.
While prepping and planning to attend graduate school at the
University of Tennessee Chattanooga, this 22-year-old, Delequa Drake,
received a call that would change her life forever. Her favorite person
in the world, her grandmother, had just been notified that the lump in
her breast was malignant. Ms. Drake decided to put her plans on hold
and stay home to be closer to her family. She began working odd jobs
that had no connection to her degree to make ends meet. In her
downtime, she also volunteered to coach pee-wee basketball in the local
recreational league. It was then that she first discovered her love for
working with children. The philosophy for her players was ``Grades
before Plays'' which worked out fine for everyone except a struggling
young reader on the team. Ms. Drake took it upon herself to tutor this
struggling reader while coaching him.
Much to his surprise and hers, the tutorials worked better than
expected. The student's grade began to increase mightily. His reading
grade improved from a letter grade of D to a letter grade of B by the
end of the semester. Still, Ms. Drake had no clue that teaching was
where she belonged. It wasn't until a few more success stories later
that she even considered reverting to her original plan of teaching.
After a lot of urging from family and friends, she was now 27 years old
and finally decided to pursue her passion by taking the necessary steps
toward becoming a teacher. She enrolled in Belhaven University's Master
of Arts in Teaching program in the Fall of 2016 and never looked back.
Ms. Drake became the 2019-2020 Teacher of The Year from Gilmer
McLaurin Elementary School. Congratulations to Ms. Delequa Drake for
her accomplishments. She still lives by the philosophy of ``Grades
before Plays'' and tries to instill in every child that she crosses
paths with the importance of learning and her love for reading.
Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Ms.
Delequa Drake for her dedication and tenacity to serving the community
and the desire to be an example for all.
____________________