House Concurrent Resolution 51

(As Adopted by House and Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE NORTHWEST MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITY COLLEGE CHEER TEAM AND COACH BRANDON CASEY FOR WINNING THE 2022 OPEN SMALL CO-ED NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, proving hard work and diligence are the keys to success, the Northwest Mississippi Community College, who won two national championship titles in the last year, is celebrating once again after earning the 2022 Open Small Co-Ed National Championship; and

WHEREAS, Northwest Mississippi Community College placed first in the semifinals with a raw score of 94.3, joining six other squads in advancing to the final round, and despite a raw score of 94.9 in the finals with three deductions, the Northwest Rangers once again placed atop the standings with a final event score of 91.9, beating out Drury University, Wilmington University, Coastal Alabama Community College, University of Southern Indiana and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College; and

WHEREAS, additionally, Northwest competed in the Open Co-Ed Game Day competition, placing second in the semifinals and competing against a mix of Division I and small college programs, and after the Rangers advanced to the finals of that division, they finished fourth with 94.43 points; and

WHEREAS, under the insightful and accomplished leadership of third-year coach, Brandon Casey, the Rangers did an exceptional job of covering each other's faults, unifying all of their strengths to make a good squad and ultimately executing an outstanding job working toward the accomplishment of this highly pursued goal; and

WHEREAS, during the national championship competition, the cheerleaders performed a routine with precision and accuracy for the judges and nailed each of their moves, which consisted of tumbling and difficult stunts designed for their strong points; and

WHEREAS, throughout this special season, the Northwest Mississippi Community College Cheer Team worked extremely hard to succeed, and the members have improved exponentially in all aspects of their cheering abilities, which is largely due to their outstanding God-given talent, strong desire to win and tremendous work ethic; and

WHEREAS, the 2022 Open Small Co-Ed National Championship Cheer Team is comprised of the following athletes: Rainy Bordlon, Ja'Dyn Brand, Makyla Brannon, Molly Brewer, Kaylie Burrows, Sara Ellis Dean, Christina Evans, McKenzie Henderson, Kayla Horne, Hartley Houston, Haven Hubbard, Summer Hughes, Ethan Hunt, Josie Kennedy, Devon Kurns, Zach Letson, Alyssa Martin, Ashton McMinn, Halle New, Reagan Ochner, Dakota Petty, Jonah Pike, Jamilia Richmond, Madelyn Riley, Missy Smallie, Cullen Southward, Tiffany Spivey and Samaryous Walker; and

WHEREAS, the Rangers Cheerleaders have practiced and worked together for many hours in the pursuit of greatness and have shown a high degree of sportsmanship while representing the State of Mississippi at all levels of competition, and through their superior accomplishments, these Magnolia State student athletes have brought honor to themselves, Coach Brandon Casey and to Northwest Mississippi Community College; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend outstanding student athletes such as the Northwest Mississippi Community College Cheer Team, whose superb attitudes and unparalleled determination to reach their championship goal brought honor and glory to their school and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Northwest Mississippi Community College Cheer Team and Coach Brandon Casey for winning the 2022 Open Small Co-Ed National Championship, and extend best wishes for continued success in all of their future athletic and academic endeavors.

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