MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Senator(s) Frazier, Ross

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE MURRAH HIGH SCHOOL QUIZ BOWL TEAM FOR WINNING FIVE MAJOR COMPETITIONS DURING THE 1999-2000 SCHOOL YEAR.

WHEREAS, the Murrah High School Quiz Bowl Team is enjoying one of its best seasons ever, winning five major competitions this school year; and

WHEREAS, a team of Murrah sophomores came close to advancing to the final four in Minneapolis, Minnesota, at the LifeSmarts national competition, a quiz program in areas, such as personal finance, consumer rights/responsibilities and health and safety; and

WHEREAS, Murrah students advanced to the top eight teams, but lost to a team from Washington State in overtime. Team members representing Mississippi were Terilyn Lake, David Newman, Princess Peters and Jake Womack; and

WHEREAS, on April 8, 2000, Murrah students Matthew Smith, Brian Nagel, Chris Bowron and Sarah Whitfield won the Mississippi Academic Invitational Tournament at the University of Mississippi, where 48 teams were entered in the competition; and

WHEREAS, the team's sponsors are Jim Barfield and Cheryl Rahaim. Barfield teaches Latin and Social Studies at Murrah. Rahaim is a French teacher; other team members are sophomores Michael Starling and Yasser Abdul; and

WHEREAS, participating on the Quiz Bowl Team gives recognition to academics, helps students learn to work under pressure and work with other team members; and

WHEREAS, team members need to know something about different areas, such as history, language, art and literature; and

WHEREAS, the team will compete in the Panasonic Academic Challenge in Orlando, June 17-20, and will probably compete in the National Academic Championships in New Orleans, June 1, 2000; and

WHEREAS, other honors this school year for the Murrah Quiz Bowl Team include: First Place, Murrah Invitational Tournament (participants were Chris Bowron, David Newman, Matthew Smith and Jake Womack); First Place, State Knowledge Master Open (This is a national competition via computer. Participants were Chris Bowron, Alexis Larkin, Neal Luckett, Brian Nagel, David Newman, Matthew Smith, Corey Palmer and Jake Womack); First Place, Mississippi Academic Competition (equal to a state tournament where 64 teams from private and public schools competed), in addition to defeating Madison Central, Murrah defeated St. Andrew's and Jackson Prep; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the academic excellence and teamwork of this group of students 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, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Murrah High School Quiz Bowl Team for winning five major competitions during the 1999-2000 school year, and wish them continued success in their future academic endeavors and their college careers.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to the team sponsors and to the Principal of Murrah High School, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.