House Concurrent Resolution 125

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING CENTER HILL HIGH SCHOOL FOR RECEIVING ACADEMIC ALL-STATE TEAM AWARDS FOR ALL 16 OF ITS ATHLETIC TEAMS.

WHEREAS, Center Hill High School in Olive Branch, Mississippi, fields 16 athletic teams with more than 250 varsity athletes, and these groups of student athletes are as exceptionally talented in the classroom as they are on the fields and courts on which they compete; and

WHEREAS, the Mississippi High School Activities Association gives out Academic All-State Team awards each year to high school athletic teams that maintain an average GPA of 3.0, and Center Hill has received that honor for all 16 of its athletic teams; and

WHEREAS, for a school to have one or two Academic All-State Teams would be a major accomplishment, but for each and every athletic team at a school to receive that honor is almost unheard of; and

WHEREAS, the players and coaches alike emphasize that this outstanding academic achievement by all of the Center Hill athletic teams starts at the top with Principal George Loper, who preaches that for student athletes, the "student" aspect has the top priority; and

WHEREAS, to participate in athletics at Center Hill, a student must have a C average and be on graduation track, but the coaches and teachers support the students and have higher expectations for them than just meeting the minimum requirements, which in turn makes the students want to work harder and do better; and

WHEREAS, the high grades of the Center Hill student athletes are a positive reflection of the entire school staff, who try to create a total package for the students where they are expected to act and live like champions not just in their sports but also in the school and community; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend excellence, especially when evidenced by the young people of our state, such as the outstanding student athletes of Center Hill High School, who are its future:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Center Hill High School for receiving Academic All-State Team awards from the Mississippi High School Activities Association for all 16 of its athletic teams, and extend sincere wishes for continued success in all of their academic and athletic endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Center Hill High School, Principal George Loper and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.