House Resolution 110

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE JONES JUNIOR COLLEGE BOBCATS CHEERLEADING TEAM AND COACH KAYLA HANKINS FOR WINNING FIRST PLACE IN THE OPEN COED DIVISION OF THE 2022 UCA COLLEGE CHAMPIONSHIPS.

WHEREAS, proving hard work and diligence are the keys to success, the Jones Junior College has now earned two consecutive national championship titles, after cheering and tumbling their way into another first place finish in Open Coed Division of the 2022 UCA College Championships; and

WHEREAS, having attended cheerleading camp at Mississippi State University in July 2021, the Bobcats Cheerleading Team was recognized as Most Collegiate in the junior/community college division, and was named recipient of the Leadership Award; and

WHEREAS, while the Bobcat Cheerleaders hosted numerous cheer camps, stunt clinics and community events while cheering consistently for the duration of the football and basketball seasons, the cheerleaders have maintained a 3.204 team GPA for fall 2021, demonstrating their prowess to excel, both academically and athletically, as a testament of the superior caliber of student-athletes who have chosen Jones Junior College as their destination for postsecondary academic preparation, with four student-athletes named to the President's List, and 11 on the Dean's List; and

WHEREAS, under the insightful and accomplished leadership of Head Coach Kayla Hankins, and Assistant Coaches, Jeremy Lumpkin and Hanna Burnette, the Bobcats performed exceptionally well, unifying all of their strengths to make a good squad and ultimately executing an outstanding job working toward the accomplishment of this highly pursued goal; and

WHEREAS, during the national championship competition, the 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, throughout this special season, the Jones Junior College Bobcats Cheerleading Team worked extremely hard to succeed, and the members have improved exponentially in all aspects of their cheering abilities, which also resulted in Lily Baker and Zack Alleman's selection to compete in the NCA College Championship in the partner stunt competition in April 2022; and

WHEREAS, the 2022 Open Coed College Championship Cheerleading Team is comprised of the following 24 athletes: Sophomores, Azlyn Dollar, Joy Nicole Fendley, Lily Baker, Madelyn Pace, Mollie Potter, Cole Dueitt, Jathan Watson, Julian Melancon, KJ Mackeroy, Lance Kidd, Max Housman, Will Rushing, Xavius Jones and Zack Alleman; and Freshmen, Bailey Collums, Grayson Weathersby, Hanna Shoemaker, Hope Weathersby, Kaliyah Jones, Elijah Garcia, Gilbert Puerto, Kadin Pohlmann, Micah Broome and Ryan Sullivan; and

WHEREAS, the Bobcat 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; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend outstanding student-athletes such as the Jones Junior College Bobcats Cheerleading Team, whose superb attitudes and unparalleled determination to reach their championship goal brought honor and glory to their school and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Jones Junior College Bobcats Cheerleading Team, Coaches Kayla Hankins, Jeremy Lumpkin and Hanna Burnette for winning the Open Coed Division of the 2022 UCA College Championship, and extend best wishes for continued success in all of their future athletic and academic endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Jones Junior College President Dr. Jesse Smith, Athletic Director Joel Cain, Head Coach Kayla Hankins and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.