Senate Concurrent Resolution 598

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE OUR LADY ACADEMY (OLA) CROSS COUNTRY TEAM AND COACHES HARRY HULL AND DARREN RAYBOURN FOR WINNING THE MISSISSIPPI ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS CLASS 2A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THE FIRST TIME.

WHEREAS, the Our Lady Academy (OLA) Cross Country Team from Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, coached by Harry Hull and Darren Raybourn, completed an outstanding season in 2009 and won their first State Championship; and

WHEREAS, this year's team went into the State Championship with a very young team. In the State Race they scored an incredible score of 19; 15 is a perfect score; and

WHEREAS, Our Lady Academy finished as follows: 1st Place, Lindsay Raybourn, 8th grade; 2nd Place, Sofia Taconi, 7th grade; 3rd Place, Deniece Powell, junior; 4th Place, Anna Taconi, 9th grade; and 9th Place, Brittany Laurent, freshman. They also had two other runners, Savannah Matthews, 8th grade and Emma Welch, 7th grade, who finished 15th and 17th, respectively. Other members on the team are Abi Simpson, senior; Jenny Byrne, freshman; and Emma Holland, 7th grade; and

WHEREAS, Our Lady Academy is an all-girls college preparatory junior/senior high school which teaches Catholic Christian doctrine, morals and values; promotes academic excellence; encourages the students to give service to others; and challenges them to achieve their God-given potential as young ladies in the local and world communities. Our Lady Academy is the only all-girls' school in the State of Mississippi. Located on the beach in Bay St. Louis, Our Lady Academy educates approximately 270 students from Harrison and Hancock Counties; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the special accomplishments of these 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 Our Lady Academy (OLA) Cross Country Team from Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, and Coaches Harry Hull and Darren Raybourn for their outstanding 2009 season and for winning the MAIS Class 2A State Championship for the first time, and extend to the team, coaches, staff, parents and sponsors our best wishes for future success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Coaches Harry Hull and Darren Raybourn and Principal Sue Goggins, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.