WHEREAS it is the intention of the Mayor and Council of Cherry Hill Township to focus attention on noteworthy occasions and individuals; and

WHEREAS students from Rosa International Middle School recently competed in the National History Day Contest, held the weekend of June 11-15 at the University of Maryland, College Park; and

WHEREAS those students, Samuel Bitman, Shayna Herzfeld, Asha Mohapatra and Gabrielle O’Brien, produced a documentary centered on a local Camden County hero, “The Statement that Revealed the Truth: Josiah DuBois, an American Holocaust Hero” – a documentary that was remarkably well-done, and tells an important story about one man’s efforts to stand up against hatred and intolerance, and to be a light during a dark time in our global history; and

WHEREAS National History Day is remarkably competitive, with less than 1 percent of projects making it to the final round, and success requires a superb level of research, critical thinking skills and creativity; and

WHEREAS Rosa’s National History Day program was founded 10 years ago, by Humanities teacher Christy Marrella-Davis, and throughout that time, the Rosa has consistently ranked among the best in the country – making it to nationals nine out of 10 years; and

WHEREAS we extend special recognition to Ms. Marrella-Davis, who has been the driving force behind this program since its inception, and we wish to honor and thank her for her unending work to educate generations of high-performing, highly skilled students.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, CHUCK CAHN, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Mayor of the Township of Cherry Hill, County of Camden, State of New Jersey, do hereby wish to honor and congratulate

The Rosa International Middle School

National History Day Team

in the Township of Cherry Hill and do urge all citizens to join with me and Council in congratulating this year’s National History Day Team on its achievements, and to thank the students and Mrs. Marrella-Davis for their efforts to educate our citizens about the life and work of Josiah DuBois, an American Holocaust Hero.