MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2020 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Blount, Frazier, Norwood, Horhn, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Jordan, Simmons (12th), Simmons (13th)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE MURRAH HIGH SCHOOL MUSTANG SPEECH AND DEBATE TEAM AND COACH MICAH EVERSON FOR EARNING AWARDS AT TWO 2019 NATIONAL TOURNAMENTS AND THE FOUR SENIORS NAMED ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICANS BY THE NATIONAL SPEECH AND DEBATE ASSOCIATION.
WHEREAS, we join the students, coaches, faculty and parents of Murrah High School in Jackson, Mississippi, in honoring the accomplishments of a very accomplished group of students; and
WHEREAS, four seniors from Murrah High School have been named Academic All-Americans by the National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA). Jeffrey Caliedo, Maisie Brown, Abigail Showalter and Evan Morrisey have all been recognized for their competitive excellence in speech and debate, academic success in the classroom, and outstanding leadership and service; and
WHEREAS, academic All-Americans must hold a National Speech & Debate Association Degree of Superior Distinction or higher within the Honor Society, reflecting the attainment of 750 or more degree points earned through speaking competition or service activities. They must also have earned an unweighted GPA of 3.7 or higher over their high-school career, and they must demonstrate outstanding character and leadership. According to the National Speech & Debate Association, from more than 140,000 high-school student members of the National Speech & Debate Association, fewer than two percent of students earn the Academic All-American Award every year. Maisie, Jeffrey, Evan and Abigail join only eight other students in school history to have achieved the award; and
WHEREAS, the Mustang Speech & Debate Team brought home awards from two national tournaments during the summer of 2019. Senior Jeffrey Caliedo placed in the octofinal round of Dramatic Performance at the National Catholic Forensic League (NCFL) Tournament in Milwaukee, May 25-26. Jeffrey was in the top 48 out of 222 competitors in the event. Also at the NCFL Tournament, Junior Y'Sonni Pressley reached the final round of Declamation and placed 5th overall out of 215 competitors in Declamation. Y'Sonni is Murrah High School's first-ever National Finalist; and
WHEREAS, at the National Speech & Debate Association's Tournament, held in Dallas June 16-21, Seniors Evan Morrisey and Maisie Brown teamed up with debaters from Petal and Madison Central High Schools to represent Mississippi in the World Schools Debate Competition, which included 193 teams from 42 states and five foreign countries. With their teammates, Maisie and Evan reached the second elimination round, placing in the top 32 teams at the tournament. This was the first year that a Mississippi team reached elimination rounds in World Schools Debate; and
WHEREAS, these outstanding students are coached by Micah Everson. He is a dedicated coach who works hard every day to help his students and provide opportunities for them to showcase their talent and intelligence. His team is one of the many Jackson Public School jewels; and
WHEREAS, the National Speech & Debate Association's Honor Society recognizes middle-school and high-school students for participation in speech and debate activities. Students earn distinction through speech and debate competition, as well as community service, public speaking, and leadership activities. Members are eligible to join the Honor Society once they have earned the required number of points. Members of the Honor Society are held to the Code of Honor, the highest standards of integrity, humility, respect, leadership, and service. These standards have been valued by this organization since its founding in 1925 and were officially adopted as the Code of Honor in 2007. Over the past 90 years, it has celebrated the achievements of nearly two million alumni. Students who are members of the National Speech and Debate Association Honor Society stand out in the college admissions process; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize these students who are wonderful examples for our public schools and have brought honor to their school, their community and to the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Murrah High School Mustang Speech and Debate Team and Coach Micah Everson for earning awards at two 2019 national tournaments and the four seniors named Academic All-Americans by the National Speech and Debate Association, and extend to the students, coaches, faculty, parents and administrators our best wishes for future successes.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Mustang Speech and Debate Team Coach Micah Everson and Murrah High School Principal Dr. Alvanette Buchanan for the team, forwarded to the Jackson School Board, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.