House Resolution 40

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE PHILADELPHIA HIGH SCHOOL CHEERLEADING TEAM AND COACH NIKKI TULLOS FOR WINNING THE 2009 MHSAA CLASS 3A SMALL SCHOOL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, on Saturday, December 19, 2009, the Philadelphia High School Cheerleaders performed and won against seven other cheerleading squads for the title of 3A Small School State Champions; and

WHEREAS, the Philadelphia High School Cheerleaders produced a dominating show of talent, courage and commitment in a triumph in the MHSAA Class 3A Small School State Championship competition; and

WHEREAS, outfitted with a youthful 2009 squad filled with heart, Coach Nikki Tullos managed to arrange a championship cheerleading team; and

WHEREAS, these well-deserving champions achieved an amazing and unparalleled run in high school cheerleading that has brought Philadelphia High School back into the limelight; and

WHEREAS, a former state champion herself, Coach Tullos led her Alma Mater back to the top, not only accomplishing so much athletically, but also growing the squad collectively as cheerleaders and as individual young women throughout the 2009 cheerleading season; and

WHEREAS, during this special season, these Philadelphia cheerleaders worked extremely hard, beginning with practice soon after tryouts and into the summer learning football and basketball cheers for the games; and

WHEREAS, beyond their athletic accomplishments, the Philadelphia cheerleaders enthusiastically prepared spirit field signs that were used to excite the fans and motivate the team when the players burst through these homemade signs for the start of each football game; and

WHEREAS, after football season and before basketball, the team added additional practices to better prepare for the regional competition at Wayne County High School; and

WHEREAS, even though the team did not win the Wayne County High School regional competition, the cheerleaders continued to work their hardest, knowing the state championships demanded excellence; and

WHEREAS, with only a few weeks to work on their state championship routine and turn it into perfection for the state competition, the team knew it would take all that Coach Tullos asked of them in order to be confident enough to hit their difficult routine perfectly; and

WHEREAS, the accomplishments of these Magnolia State student athletes have brought honor to Philadelphia High School and to the entire State of Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, the roster of the 2009 Philadelphia High School Cheerleading Team includes: Kreszenz Hedgepeth, Mary Margaret Bailey, Channing Kinard, Courtney Bounds, Emily Lewis, Tiara Calloway, Cherry Murray, Sadie Shields, Mollie McKay, Macy Martin,

Abby Posey, Rebecca Prince, Anne Cassidy Prince, Alaina Puckett and Tiara Black; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize the accomplishments of our young student athletes:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Philadelphia High School Cheerleading Team and Head Coach Nikki Tullos for winning the 2009 MHSAA Class 3A Small School State Cheerleading Championship and extend best wishes to the team, their parents, sponsors and staff for continued success in all of their future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the Principal of Philadelphia High School, Coach Nikki Tullos and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.