MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2012 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Jackson (11th), Butler (38th), Fillingane, Jackson (32nd), Lee, Hill
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND THE MADISON SHANNON PALMER HIGH SCHOOL CHEERLEADING SQUAD MEMBERS AND MISSISSIPPI CHEERLEADING COACH OF THE YEAR YOLANDA THOMAS FOR THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THE 2012 UNIVERSAL CHEERLEADERS ASSOCIATION NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL CHEERLEADING CHAMPIONSHIP AND THEIR WORLD RANKING.
WHEREAS, in February 2012, the Madison Shannon Palmer High School "Dragons" Cheerleading Squad, under the direction of Coach Yolanda Thomas, Assistant Coach Santana Lee, and Dance Choreographer Tiffany Rudd, competed in the Universal Cheerleaders Association National High School Cheerleading Championship Small Varsity Coed Division in Orlando, Florida, and earned a WORLD RANKING of Number 8 in the World; and
WHEREAS, the National High School Cheerleading Championship (NHSCC) is the most prestigious Cheerleading Championship in the country. The NHSCC is held at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, and nationally televised on ESPN and ESPN2 to over 100 million homes and 32 countries nationwide each year; and
WHEREAS, on December 11, 2010, the Madison Shannon Palmer High School Cheerleading Squad received a First Place Bid to the Nationals. In July 2011, the squad attended the University of Alabama, UCA Cheerleaders Camp in Tuscaloosa, Alabama where they received the Most Improved Award. On December 18, 2010, the squad was ranked #3 in the State of Mississippi in the Large Coed Division, and in January 2011 ranked #11 in the Small Coed Division at Nationals; and
WHEREAS, the Quitman County High School/Madison Shannon Palmer High School Cheerleader Coach, Yolanda Thomas, was named the 2010-2011, State of Mississippi Cheerleader Coach of the Year; and
WHEREAS, this is the only sport at Madison Shannon Palmer High School to have earned a State Title and the first African-American Squad in the State of Mississippi, as well as the Mississippi Delta, to win a State Championship in cheerleading; and
WHEREAS, though competition is very important to this squad, the first and most important job is to support the athletic teams at Madison Shannon Palmer High School. The squad cheers at all football and all home basketball games of the Madison Shannon Palmer Dragons; and
WHEREAS, competition practices for the cheerleader squad runs simultaneously through the entire football and basketball seasons. The squad typically practices 6 to 8 hours per week on competition routine only. Each member is responsible for maintaining high academic standards, supporting athletic teams and practicing for competition, all at the same time; and
WHEREAS, the 2012 Madison Shannon Palmer High School Cheerleading Squad Members are: Shakira Johnson, Lee Williams, Janae Austin, Randy Freeman, Jr., Tamara Buckley, Kuawanna Gillium, Mirion Thompson, Walniqua Ruskin, Jasmine Pryor, Tangela Wilbourn, Lurrissa Cosey and Tyra Conley, Head Coach: Yolanda Thomas and Assistant Sponsor: Amber Mills; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this unique accomplishment by a group of 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 Madison Shannon Palmer High School Cheerleading Squad Members and their Coaches for their participation in the 2012 Universal Cheerleaders Association National High School Cheerleading Championship and their World Ranking and extend to these members and their parents the best wishes of the Legislature for their future success.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the Madison Shannon Palmer High School Cheerleading Squad, Coach Yolanda Thomas and Principal Carl B. Palmer, Jr., and be made available to the Quitman County Board of Education and the Capitol Press Corps.