House Concurrent Resolution 65

(As Adopted by House and Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE RIPLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL TIGERS CHEERLEADING TEAM AND SPONSOR GIDGET BARKLEY FOR WINNING THE 2014 MISSISSIPPI HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION JUNIOR HIGH AND JUNIOR VARSITY CHEER AND DANCE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, proving hard work and diligence are the keys to success, the Ripley Middle School Tigers Cheer Squad competed against five other squads in the 2014 Junior High 1A-3A division at the Mississippi High School Activities Association Junior High and Junior Varsity Cheer and Dance State Championship, and after a standout performance, they captured the State Junior High Cheerleading Championship; and

WHEREAS, to claim their second state junior high cheerleading title in as many years, the Ripley Middle School Cheerleaders solidified their rise to championship status by reaching the state championship competition and laying claim to the prestigious title; and

WHEREAS, under the superb leadership of Sponsor Gidget Barkley, who refined their skills in execution, acrobatics and dance, the team did an exceptional job of covering each other's faults, unifying all of their strengths to make a good squad, and they did an outstanding job working toward the accomplishment of this highly pursued goal; and

WHEREAS, during the competition, the cheerleaders performed a routine to precision for the judges, which consisted of tumbling and difficult stunts designed for their strong points, and they nailed the routine with their best-ever performance of it; and

WHEREAS, during this special season, the Tigers worked extremely hard to succeed, beginning preparation in April for the state championship, including attending a cheer camp in Nashville, Tennessee, working with exceptional coaches Raymond and Amy Hoffman, taking a tumbling class each week and learning and perfecting cheers for the games; and

WHEREAS, ensuring that the state championship trophy stayed in Ripley, Mississippi, was not an easy task and defending their supreme reign put huge amounts of pressure on the shoulders of the seventh and eighth grade Ripley cheerleaders, but determined to relive the glory of winning, they rose to the challenge and accomplished the difficult feat with grace and poise, and Barkley credited their second successful championship venture to the leadership of the older members on the squad, who constantly encouraged the younger members and helped them prepare for the championship battle; and

WHEREAS, the Ripley Middle School Pom Squad, who placed fourth in the Junior High Kick division at the 2014 Mississippi High School Activities Association Junior High and Junior Varsity Cheer and Dance State Championship, their sponsor, Regina Chills, and the Ripley Middle School faculty, staff, parents and families provided overwhelming amounts of support to the Ripley Middle School squad while they were preparing for competition; and

WHEREAS, the members of the Tigers cheerleading squad, who constantly impressed Barkley with their sincere displays of professionalism and self-discipline are: Eighth graders, Leanna Billingsley, Anna Grace Hardin, Teigh Benson, Reiley Duncan, Hanna Graves, Kate Hall, Olivia Hill, Laken Knight and Alli Taylor, and seventh graders, Edie Kay Conner, Kaylee Duke, Harlie Hopkins, Taylor Ketchum, Ally Melton, Mallie Reid and Kristen Omega Storey; and

WHEREAS, since making the squad in March 2014, the Tiger cheerleaders have worked extremely hard and improved exponentially, which is largely due to their outstanding God-given talent, strong desire to win and tremendous work ethic; and

WHEREAS, the Ripley Middle School Cheerleaders have practiced and worked together for many hours in the pursuit of excellence and have shown a high degree of sportsmanship while representing the State of Mississippi at all levels of competition, and through their superior accomplishments, these Magnolia State student athletes have brought honor to themselves and to Ripley Middle School; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend outstanding student athletes such as the Ripley Middle School Tigers Cheerleading Team:

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 the Ripley Middle School Tigers Cheerleading Team and Sponsor Gidget Barkley for winning the 2014 Mississippi High School Activities Association Junior High and Junior Varsity Cheer and Dance State Championship, and extend best wishes for continued success in all of their future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Ripley Middle School, Sponsor Gidget Barkley, Principal James Storey and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.