House Resolution 28

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING STEPHANIE CAYULA OF WAVELAND, MISSISSIPPI, FOR BEING NAMED THE 2019 STATE GAMES OF MISSISSIPPI "FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR."

WHEREAS, each year, the State Games of Mississippi recognizes an outstanding male and female athlete from each of the 37 individual sports, nominated based on their merit and sportsmanship by coaches, officials, athletes, volunteers and spectators, but only three athletes are chosen to receive the elite honor of "Athlete of the Year"; and

WHEREAS, Stephanie Cayula, 53, of Waveland, Mississippi, was named this year's "Female Athlete of the Year," for cycling, as she personifies the ideals of the State Games' movement, such as participation, sportsmanship, special attributes, achievements, efforts and positive attitudes; and

WHEREAS, a true competitor at heart, Stephanie has been a competitive athlete since 1996, and during her tenure with the State Games of Mississippi, she has won a gold medal in the 5K Racewalk, cycling, swimming, kayaking and relays; and

WHEREAS, in addition to the State Games, Stephanie has successfully completed several other athletic competitions, including the Louisiana-Mississippi Bicycle Racing, the Mississippi Gulf Coast Bicycle Club-20K Time Trial Series, the Mississippi Senior Olympics, Shotokan Karate, the AAU State and Regional Championships and the AAU National Championships; and

WHEREAS, in 2018, while she was training for the Florida Ironman 70.3 event, tragedy struck and her training ended when Stephanie crashed her bicycle and was hospitalized for two days with a broken collarbone, three broken ribs, a punctured lung and road rash, but thanks to her helmet, which left the wreck that day with a huge crack, Stephanie's head was saved from traumatic injury and now she encourages all of her fellow cyclers to always wear a helmet; and

WHEREAS, Stephanie's cycling courage has been shaky since her wreck, especially when she thinks of riding in a group at full speed, so she spent 2019 reconnecting with her love of cycling and only competed in local, state and regional time trails and road cycling, race walking events, and the State Games of Mississippi, where she competed in her very first time trail and her very first swim meet, allowing her to refocus and rekindle her competitive drive; and

WHEREAS, Stephanie Cayula is an excellent role model for a balanced and healthy lifestyle and her drive to compete again is extremely inspirational, which makes her the perfect example of the fitness and dedication that the State Games of Mississippi promotes; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend outstanding Mississippi athletes, especially those such as Stephanie Cayula, who has exceeded all expectations of greatness and brought honor to the City of Waveland and to the great Magnolia State:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Stephanie Cayula of Waveland, Mississippi, for being named the 2019 State Games of Mississippi "Female Athlete of the Year" and express best wishes for continued success in all of her future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Stephanie Cayula and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.