House Concurrent Resolution 62

(As Adopted by House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE BRANDON HIGH SCHOOL BULLDOGS CHEERLEADING TEAM FOR WINNING THE MHSAA STATE CHEERLEADING CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THE JUNIOR VARSITY AND THE VARSITY LARGE ALL GIRL DIVISIONS AND THE NCA HIGH SCHOOL NATIONALS LARGE ADVANCED GAME DAY NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, proving hard work and diligence are the keys to success, the Brandon High School Cheerleading Team competed in the 2018 Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) State Cheer Competition as well as the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) Nationals Competition, and after flawless and electric performances at both, they captured the MHSAA State Cheerleading Championship for the junior varsity and the varsity large all girl divisions and the NCA High School Nationals Large Advanced Game Day National Championship; and

WHEREAS, to claim their cheerleading titles, the Brandon High School Cheerleaders solidified their rise to championship status by utilizing the experience they gained through the NCA SpeedCamp, where they were awarded the Team Spirit Award, which is selected by the NCA staff and the bid to compete at NCA High School Nationals in Dallas, Texas; and

WHEREAS, additionally, during the NCA SpeedCamp, Julianne Deweese, Jessie Bailey and Sarah Sendelweck were named All-Americans; Tyler Ward and Emma Harrell were CoEd Top Gun Award winners; Casidee Westbrook, Kate Herndon, Hannah Hayman and Madison Reedy were Top Gun Stunt Award winners; and Mia Patridge, Alex Hagan, Caroline Traweek, Hannah Fetty and Jessie Bailey were given Pin It Forward Outstanding Leadership/Sportsmanship Recognitions; and

WHEREAS, under the insightful and accomplished leadership of Coaches Jennifer O'Neal, Cassie McClellan, Will Emmons and Storm Chaffin, the Bulldogs did an exceptional job of covering each other's faults, unifying all of their strengths to make a good squad and ultimately executing an outstanding job working toward the accomplishment of these highly pursued goals; and

WHEREAS, during the state championship and national championship competitions, the junior varsity and varsity cheerleaders performed a routine with precision and accuracy for the judges and nailed each of their moves, which consisted of tumbling and difficult stunts designed for their strong points; and

WHEREAS, at the NCA National High School Nationals Cheer Championship, the junior varsity squad walked away with honors in a number of elite categories, including 2nd place in Game Day Fight Song, 3rd Place in Game Day Cheer, 4th Place in Game Day Band Chant, and Outstanding Use of Vocals Award, and the NCA High School Nationals Mascot Award went to Bully, portrayed by Ella Windle; and

WHEREAS, the Brandon High varsity large all girl squad was named the NCA High School Nationals Large Advanced Game Day National Champions, and they also won the Best Use of Jumps Award, Best Use of Stunts Award and the Superior Showmanship Award; and

WHEREAS, throughout this special season, the Brandon High School Cheerleaders worked extremely hard to succeed, and the members have improved exponentially in all aspects of their cheering abilities, which is largely due to their outstanding God-given talent, strong desire to win and tremendous work ethic; and

WHEREAS, the members of the Brandon High School Cheerleading Team, who constantly impress with their sincere displays of professionalism and self-discipline, include: Abbey Stinson, Lydia Eaton, Addyson Tutor, Madelon Russell, Alex Hagan, Madison Reedy, Alyse Bullock, Madyson Faulkner, Anna Grace McAlpin, Makenzie Magee, Caroline Traweek, Mary Rae Herrington, Casidee Westbrook, Mia Ferris, Chelsie Yelverton, Mia Patridge, Emma Harrell, Michelle Wilson, Hannah Fetty, Olivia Kate Moss, Hannah Garrett, Paige Sanders, Hannah Hayman, Riley Byrd, Hannah Reedy, Sarah Sendelweck, Holly Woods, Taylor Woods, Jessie Bailey, Tyler Ward, Jordan Ponder, Julianne Deweese, Kate Herndon, Kennedee Stanley, Laura Lane Nichols, Lily Jett, Alanna Mote, manager, and Ella Windle, mascot; and

WHEREAS, the Bulldogs Cheerleaders have practiced and worked together for many hours in the pursuit of greatness 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 great credit to themselves and to Brandon High School; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize and commend outstanding student athletes such as the Brandon High School Bulldogs Cheerleading Team, whose superb attitudes and unparalleled determination to reach their championship goal brought honor and glory to Brandon High School 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 Brandon High School Bulldogs Cheerleading Team for winning the MHSAA State Cheerleading Championship for the junior varsity and the varsity large all girl divisions and the NCA High School Nationals Large Advanced Game Day National 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 Coaches Jennifer O'Neal, Cassie McClellan, Will Emmons, Storm Chaffin and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.