Senate Resolution 42

(As Adopted by Senate)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE WEST HARRISON HIGH SCHOOL "HURRICANE" CHEER TEAM AND HEAD COACH HEATHER SERPAS FOR WINNING THEIR THIRD UNIVERSAL CHEERLEADERS ASSOCIATION (UCA) NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP AND FOURTH STATE TITLE IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS.

WHEREAS, over the past five years, West Harrison Cheer has become a dominant program in the State of Mississippi, racking up numerous accolades with a most recent National and State Championship; and

WHEREAS, on Friday, February 16, 2024, the West Harrison "Hurricane" Cheer Team performed the winning routine in front of their classmates, then the Cheer Team took home the top spot in the National Championship in Orlando, Florida; and

WHEREAS, the West Harrison "Hurricane" Cheer Team has ranked in the top three of the National Championships in all five competitions they have performed in; and

WHEREAS, West Harrison Cheer won its fourth State Title in the last five years in December at the State Cheer Competitions. The "Hurricane" Cheer Squad is now back-to-back Champions in the 6A Game-Day Cheer category. The program, in its sixth year under Head Coach Heather Serpas, has risen to a premiere program, not only in the state, but nationally. Head Coach Serpas and Assistant Head Coach Hannah Jones say they are thankful for the hard work their team has put in over the last few months, but also have their eyes on winning nationals yet again. The West Harrison Cheer Squad placed in the regional competition to send them to the National Championship at Disney World beginning in February 2024; and

WHEREAS, "Nationals we are pretty much going to be practicing every day. Three hours a day. Our practices are pretty hardcore," said Daisy Parker, the senior Cheer Captain. "So that energy has to stay for three straight hours which is what it takes to just have the good practices, and good practices are what it is going to take to win Nationals"; and

WHEREAS, the UCA National High School Cheerleading Championships (NHSCC) returned to Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, this season to provide an exciting conclusion to the cheer season. This year's event featured more than 1,000 teams from across the country; and

WHEREAS, the 2023-2024 West Harrison High School "Hurricane" Cheer Team roster is : 9th Grade: Hadlee Weinberg, Jada Whitehead and Molly Parker; 10th Grade: Abigail Pretti, Lauren Butler, Mady Gauthier, Eddie Hartwell, Noah Cain and Parker Jackson; 11th Grade: Ceana Lacy, Chandler McCain, Jenna Pierson, Josie Comardelle, Marley Freeman, Myleigh Thompson, Raegan Brooks, Abram Parker, Joshua Lane and Logan Smith; 12th Grade: Andrea Moreno, Daisy Parker, Jaclyn Powers, Mialani Garcia, Caleb Phelps and Matthew Jordan; and Head Coach Heather Serpas and Assistant Head Coach Hannah Jones; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this group of talented student athletes who have brought honor to their school, their community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the West Harrison High School "Hurricane" Cheer Team and Head Coach Heather Serpas for winning their third Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) National Championship and fourth State Title in the last five years, and extend to the team, coaches, parents and sponsors our best wishes for continued success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Head Coach Heather Serpas and West Harrison Principal Michael Weaver for the team, forwarded to the Harrison County Board of Education and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.