House Resolution 52

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE FLORENCE HIGH SCHOOL LADY EAGLES SOCCER TEAM AND HEAD COACH GRAY MASSEY FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING 2011-2012 SEASON AND FOR WINNING THE MISSISSIPPI HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION CLASS 4A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, the Florence High School Lady Eagles Soccer Team finished the 2011-2012 season by emerging as the 2012 Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 4A Girls Soccer Champions; and

WHEREAS, being incredibly well-disciplined young ladies, the Lady Eagles performed extremely well in the 2011-2012 state playoffs, and on February 4, 2012, the Lady Eagles defeated Bay High School with a score of 2-1 in the MHSAA Class 4A State Championship game at Clinton High School in Clinton, Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, in becoming the 2012 MHSAA Class 4A Girls Soccer State Champions, the Lady Eagles invested countless measures of hard work above and beyond the level of other teams, beginning this effort in the late summer months and continuing through early February; and

WHEREAS, adding to the trophy case, the Lady Eagles have been superbly coached and inspired by Head Coach Gray Massey, who has been ably assisted by Assistant Coach Josh Cavanaugh and Managers Anna Claire Wooten and Brittney Jones; and

WHEREAS, Bay scored just one goal during the championship match up and Florence scored twice, scoring the second goal in the last minute of the second overtime, giving the Lady Eagles the State Championship title and finishing out their season with an overall record of 18-3-4; and

WHEREAS, the incredible 2011-2012 season for Florence recorded an impressive 86 total goals for the season while conceding only 13 goals to their opponents, and was completed with victories in their four playoff games and in the State Championship game; and

WHEREAS, the 2011-2012 Lady Eagles roster is comprised of the following athletes: Ali Sullivan, Abby Taylor, Katy Carpenter, Lindy Tabor, Alex Howard, Dawn Campbell, Kayla Anderson, Haley Dickson, Ashley Langham, Victoria Burnham, Morgan Sandifer, Tori Riebock, Chelsey Williams, Payton Rogers, Logan Courtney, Hannah Runnels, Kaylyn King, Ashlyn Shields, Amalea West, Laurel Riebock, Skylarr Guthrie, Mackenzie Britt, Anna Duke, Savannah Raines, Allana Brunson, Rylee Sullivan, Madison Ingram, Nichole Keen and Alana Turner; and

WHEREAS, after a remarkable season and an incredible championship game against Bay, the Lady Eagles finished with a well-deserved ranking of seventh out of 128 teams in the state; and

WHEREAS, aside from their amazing athletic abilities on the soccer field, the Lady Eagles Soccer Team performs well in the classroom, boasting a particularly noteworthy overall grade point average of 3.662 on a 4.0 scale; and

WHEREAS, in their tireless dedication, the Lady Eagles have developed a winning, cooperative spirit and a high degree of sportsmanship, and their activities and attitudes reflect great credit upon the individual players and their coach, bringing honor to Florence High School; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend excellence, especially when evidenced by the youth of our state, such as the Lady Eagles Soccer team, who are its future:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Florence High School Lady Eagles Soccer Team and Head Coach Gray Massey for winning the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 4A Girls Soccer Championship title and extend best wishes to the team, coaches, managers and parents for continued success in all of their future athletic and academic endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Coach Massey, Principal Tony Martin, the Rankin County School District and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.