House Resolution 42

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE TISHOMINGO COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL BRAVES CHEERLEADING TEAM AND COACHES BETH JAMES AND CHASITY MOORE FOR RECEIVING THE 17TH RANKING FROM THE NATIONAL UNIVERSAL CHEERLEADERS ASSOCIATION COMPETITION.

WHEREAS, proving hard work and diligence are the keys to success, the 2014-2015 Tishomingo County High School Braves Cheerleaders competed at the National Universal Cheerleaders Association Competition, which was held at Disney World Resorts in Orlando, Florida, on February 13-15, 2015, and they earned an unprecedented national 17th ranking after several superb performances; and

WHEREAS, to qualify for Nationals and receive the revered ranking, the Tishomingo County High School Cheerleaders reigned supreme at the mid-South Regional Universal Cheerleaders Association Competition in the Medium Varsity Non-Tumbling Division in November in Southaven, Mississippi, and they solidified their rise to elite status when they won the 2014 Mississippi High School Activities Association State Championship in Small Varsity Non-Tumbling Division II in December; and

WHEREAS, under the superb leadership of twelve-year veteran Coach Beth James and Coach Chasity Moore, 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 coveted position; and

WHEREAS, during the first round of competition, in a category of 80 squads from all over the country, the cheerleaders performed a routine to precision for the judges, which consisted of tumbling and difficult stunts designed for their strong points, and ultimately advanced to the semi-final competition with 31 other teams, where their final performance of the 2 minute 30 second routine was compared against 23 other squads and catapulted them to the superlative 17th ranking, as each time the incomparable Braves performed the routine, they received no deductions; and

WHEREAS, while it was the level of difficulty that kept the cheerleaders from Tishomingo from advancing further, other teams they spoke with at the competition commended their excellence, encouraging them with stories of how other squads who competed at Nationals year after year would never make it to the semi-finals, much less accomplish the impressive feat on their first trip, as the exemplary Braves cheerleaders did with grace and poise; and

WHEREAS, the members of the Tishomingo County High School cheerleading squad, who constantly impressed James and Moore with their sincere displays of professionalism and self-discipline, are: Seniors, Ashley Flowers, Emily Malone and Rebekah Holt; Juniors, Sara Beth Bray, Brittany Cox, Kaylee Davis, Harlie Dover, Aswyn Floyd, Madison Harris, Marlena Norton, Zane Riddle and Alex Thornburg; Sophomores, Bria Olliverre and Alli Claire Smith; Freshmen, Madelyn Griffin and Isabella Webb; and Mascot, Logan Comer; and

WHEREAS, advancing at the National competition was described by the coaches as a "dream come true for the girls and us too," and to prepare for their dreams, the squad worked with exceedingly arduous dedication, approaching every practice one step at a time, and expressed feelings of extreme excitement just for the opportunity to compete; and

WHEREAS, upon their return home, a "welcome home" police escort greeted the victors at the Alabama border, which brought the exceptional squad to tears, and when they saw their families, the band, football team and all of the students assembled at the flagpole to continue welcoming them home, the team was truly overwhelmed; and

WHEREAS, in addition to the balloons and goodies showered upon each girl from the dozens of family members and friends who came to the welcome-home extravaganza, while the band serenaded the crowd gathered at the flagpole with the Tishomingo County High School "tomahawk chop," the football players, who were in their jerseys despite the 40 degree weather, presented each cheerleader with a rose as shouts rang out from supporters, exclaiming their praise and adoration for the sterling efforts of the 17th ranked Braves Cheerleaders at the National Competition; and

WHEREAS, the Tishomingo County High 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 Tishomingo County High School; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend outstanding student athletes such as the Tishomingo County High School Braves Cheerleading Team:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Tishomingo County High School Braves Cheerleading Team and Coaches Beth James and Chasity Moore for receiving the 17th ranking at the National Universal Cheerleaders Association Competition, 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 Tishomingo County High School, Coach Beth James, Coach Chasity Moore, Principal Jackie Beals, Assistant Principal B.J. Nunley and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.