House Resolution 38

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING FOURTEEN-YEAR-OLD MEGAN HEGGIE FOR BEING SELECTED AS THE 2018 STATE GAMES OF MISSISSIPPI AT&T OVERALL YOUTH ATHLETE OF THE YEAR.

WHEREAS, based on the national program, the State Games of Mississippi established the annual "Athlete of the Year" Award to

recognize Mississippi's amateur athletes, and each year, coaches, officials, athletes, volunteers and spectators nominate one male and one female athlete from each of the 37 sports for the award; and

WHEREAS, fourteen-year-old Megan Heggie of Meridian,

Mississippi, has broken or set many team records in her age group,

as well as the open age group, having a time better than previous

Mississippi Swim Association swimmers that are older, and she has a total of 13 new records in the 13 to 14 girls age group, and has

achieved a total of 17 top-five times in all of the different swim

strokes; and

WHEREAS, Megan received the Meridian Swimming Association (MSA) Coaches' Award in 2018 and was the first place High-Point Winner of the swim season, scoring more than 1,000 points, and she also won "Most Improved Female Swimmer," which is given to the swimmer who cuts the most time off during the swim season at any meet for the team, for the seventh year in a row; and

WHEREAS, personifying the ideals of the State Games

movement, such as participation, sportsmanship, special attributes, achievements, efforts, and positive attitudes, Megan will not only have the honor of running the torch at the 2019 State Games of Mississippi, but she also had the honor to be a flag-bearer for the State Games of America in 2017 at the Opening Ceremony in Grand Rapids, Michigan; and

WHEREAS, this year, only three athletes were chosen to receive the honor of "Athlete of the Year," and the athletes will visit the State Capitol in Jackson, where the Governor will bestow them with a recognition of their achievement and they will have the honor and fame of lighting the torch at the 2019 State Games of Mississippi Opening Ceremonies; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives that we recognize and commend outstanding Mississippians, especially those such as Megan Heggie, who is an excellent role model for a balanced and healthy lifestyle, bringing honor to her community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Megan Heggie on being selected as the 2018 State Games of Mississippi AT&T Overall Youth Athlete of the Year, and extend best wishes for continued success in all of her future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Megan Heggie and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.