House Concurrent Resolution 46

(As Adopted by House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE POPLARVILLE HIGH SCHOOL HORNETS CHEERLEADING TEAM FOR WINNING THEIR FIRST EVER UCA NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL CHEERING CHAMPIONSHIP IN THE SMALL VARSITY NON-TUMBLING GAME DAY DIVISION II.

WHEREAS, proving hard work and diligence are the keys to success, the Poplarville High School Hornets Cheerleading Team competed against several other squads in the UCA National High School Cheering Championship, and after a flawless and electric performance, they won their first ever UCA National High School Cheering Championship in the Small Varsity Non-Tumbling Game Day Division II; and

WHEREAS, under the insightful leadership of first-year Head Coach Brittany Smith Rogers, the Hornets did an exceptional job of rehearsing their cheers and routines, 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, throughout this special season, the Poplarville High School Cheerleaders worked extremely hard to succeed, and the members have improved exponentially in all aspects of their cheerleading abilities, and due to their outstanding God-given talent, strong desire to win and tremendous work ethic, their dreams of wearing the gold medals and lifting the championship banner up high became a reality; and

WHEREAS, as they pursued their championship dreams, the Hornets had a chip on their shoulder and felt they had to prove something to erase last season, and after competing in regionals, they got a taste of winning and set their sights on nationals but stayed humble and remained driven to get better; and

WHEREAS, for the Hornets, every day of the national competition at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at The Walt Disney World was competing for the perfect routine, as there were three groups of preliminaries for the Small Varsity Non-Tumbling Game Day competition, and Poplarville competed against 16 others in their group and the first-place preliminary winners received automatic bids to finals; and

WHEREAS, on day one of the preliminaries, Poplarville scored second place, and on day two, they placed first in their group with a three-point separation, and that is when everything sunk in, including the realization that the Hornets could win it all; and

WHEREAS, upon that realization, the cheer team's dedication and drive came into play because after performing well and making it to finals, Coach Rogers offered the team an opportunity to take a break and explore Disney World's parks, but the team said no and instead chose to practice, and no matter if it was inside or outside the hotel room, the team practiced night and day and never went to one park while in Orlando; and

WHEREAS, the members of the Poplarville High School Cheerleading Team, who constantly impress with their sincere displays of professionalism and self-discipline, include: Sammi Vaughn, Morgan Hall, Madison Lee, Maddie Cooley, Meah Davis, Addison Norris, Hayleigh Conerly, Abi Branton, Emma Brown, Kaylie Smith, Kyleigh Cookmeyer, Nevaeh High, Brinkly High and Natalie Wilkinson; and

WHEREAS, the Hornets 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, their families and to Poplarville High School; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend outstanding student-athletes such as the Poplarville High School Hornets Cheerleading Team, whose superb attitudes and unparalleled determination to reach their championship goal brought honor and glory to Poplarville High 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 Poplarville High School Hornets Cheerleading Team for winning their first ever UCA National High School Cheering Championship in the Small Varsity Non-Tumbling Game Day Division II, and extend best wishes for continued success in all their future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Head Coach Brittany Smith Rogers and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.