House Concurrent Resolution 6

(As Adopted by House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE 2015 ST. ALOYSIUS GIRLS TRACK TEAM FOR WINNING THE MISSISSIPPI HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION CLASS 1A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, the St. Aloysius High School Girls Track Team won the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 1A state meet bringing home the team championship for the first time in school history on May 8, 2015, in what has become a truly remarkable achievement for a school without a track becoming the ruler of the sport; and

WHEREAS, the extraordinary Lady Flashes won five events, medaled in another, and totaled 87 points with Tupelo Christian Prep, John F. Kennedy and Coldwater high schools trailing behind in 2nd, 3rd and 4th places accordingly; and

WHEREAS, Alyssa Engel, a senior, with tremendous motivation and boldness won two gold medals, reclaimed her long jump championship by an outstanding 17 feet and 11 inches and dominated the triple jump; and

WHEREAS, Maggie Waites soared to new heights taking first place in the pole vault competition and regaining her title as state pole vault champion to climax her senior year as a four-time state title holder, while the tenaciously formidable Madelyn Polk proved that age is only a number by winning both the 1,600 meter run with a time of 5:53.33 and 3,200 meter run with a time of 12:53.71, beating the second-place finisher by 20 seconds in both events; and

WHEREAS, with an eye to the future, young Ms. Polk did not expect to win two state championships as a seventh-grader but she plans to continue the sport throughout high school hoping to beat the Class 1A record; and

WHEREAS, Olivia Curtis' second place finish in the high jump, coupled with the points amassed from other top place finishes, accounted for an astounding 58 of St. Aloysius' points, the rest came from a total team effort as the Lady Flashes competed in 13 of the meet's 17 events; and

WHEREAS, it was the hard work and determination of every competitor, especially the points from the lower finishes, that carried them to victory; and

WHEREAS, St. Aloysius Coach Keiko Booth stated it well when she said "Everybody came together, they knew it was all about the team today, and not so much the individual effort"; and

WHEREAS, the amazing success of this team can be attributed to consistent and constant training for the six years that some of these students have waited to achieve this goal; and

WHEREAS, Coach Booth, upon leading her team to a championship for the first time in school history, can build on this foundation and create a legacy of teamwork and superior skills through intense training for future track teams to follow; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and honor the achievements of student athletes such as St. Aloysius High School Girls Track Team, who have brought honor to their school, their community and to the State of Mississippi:

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 St. Aloysius High School Girls Track Team and Coach Keiko Booth for winning the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 1A State Championship for the first time, and extend best wishes to the team and coach for continued success in all of their future athletic and academic endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to St. Aloysius High School, Coach Keiko Booth and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.