Senate Concurrent Resolution 502

(As Adopted by Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE JACKSON ACADEMY "LADY RAIDERS" GIRLS SOCCER TEAM AND COACH NIC HENDERSON FOR THEIR FIRST STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, Jackson Academy made school history Saturday, October 10, 2009, when the Lady Raiders' Varsity Girls Soccer Team captured their first State Championship with a 3-0 victory over four-time defending State Champion Jackson Prep for the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) Division I title at Raider Field; and

WHEREAS, Jackson Academy, ranked No. 1 in The Clarion-Ledger MAIS poll, finished with a 12-3 record and was undefeated in MAIS play. The Lady Raiders, guided by Head Coach Nic Henderson and Assistants Sam Peters and Anna Fiser, won 12 straight games after losing three games in a tournament in Memphis to start the season. Jackson Academy defeated Prep in all three meetings; and

WHEREAS, Emily Turbeville scored Jackson Academy's first goal in the Championship Game on a free kick in the last few seconds of the first half. Libba Stevens scored the second goal on a rebound after a shot by Carly Chinn two minutes into the second half. Carly Chinn scored Jackson Academy's third goal after a long pass by Catherine Hughes with three minutes to play in the game. Jackson Academy goalkeeper Alex Calhoun and the Lady Raiders' defense kept Prep out of the goal; and

WHEREAS, this Championship ended a five-year climb to the top since Nic Henderson became coach. Henderson gave much of the credit to leadership provided by the team's six seniors, defenders Beth Barnett, Vivian Lang, Leslie Lloyd and Morgan Welsh, forward Libba Stevens and forward/mid-fielder Bentley Harvey; and

WHEREAS, Jackson Academy's Libba Stevens, Bentley Harvey, Beth Barnett, Vivian Lang, Emily Turbeville and Catherine Hughes were named to the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools Class AAA North All-Conference Team. Jackson Academy Girls Soccer Team celebrated their first State Championship and also the junior varsity's undefeated season with a banquet at Colonial Country Club where they presented varsity and junior awards; and

WHEREAS, at Jackson Academy, participation in athletics is viewed as an important component in the overall education experience. Athletics help develop sportsmanship, camaraderie and physical fitness, and it is with great pride that we recognize this unique accomplishment by a group of dedicated 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, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Jackson Academy "Lady Raiders" Girls Soccer Team, Coach Nic Henderson, and Assistant Coaches Sam Peters and Anna Fiser for winning their first state title as MAIS Division I State Champions, and extend to the team members, parents and coaches our best wishes on this great accomplishment and for their future successes.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coach Henderson and the Lady Raiders Girls Soccer Team, forwarded to Jackson Academy Athletic Director Bobby West, Headmaster Pat Taylor and President and CEO Peter Jernberg, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.