House Resolution 94

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING NICHOLAS ANDERSON FOR HIS NUMEROUS ACADEMIC AND ATHLETIC ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

WHEREAS, Nicholas Anderson, a phenomenal athlete and student from Vicksburg, Mississippi, and an inspiration to young men throughout the Magnolia State, has achieved great athletic and academic success during his twenty-three years despite being born premature and diagnosed with a slim chance of survival; and

WHEREAS, after overcoming the difficulties of being born premature, Nicholas developed into a healthy, happy and thriving child who acquired a passion for sports, specifically football, as a very young YMCA athlete; and

WHEREAS, while football became his niche and led to much athletic success through his elementary, high school and

college careers, Nicholas's first priorities have always been and continue to be constant faith in God and maintaining academic excellence; and

WHEREAS, Nicholas graduated from Vicksburg High School in 2018 with a 4.61 GPA, which was the third highest GPA among the 221 seniors in his class, and he also received high honors for his athletic abilities, including First Team All-State, First Team All-District, All-District Most Valuable Linebacker, and back-to-back All-County Defensive Player of the Year; and

WHEREAS, additionally, Nicholas was involved in helping the Vicksburg community through Vicksburg High School and the Chic-fil-A Leadership Academy, which fostered his dedication to helping others in need, especially children and the homeless, and his service to the community has continued throughout his college career; and

WHEREAS, Nicholas began his college career at Jones Junior College, and after one amazing semester where he had a 4.0 GPA and received First All-State and All-Conference honors at the junior college level and Junior College All-American awards, he transferred to Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, in the spring of 2019; and

WHEREAS, during his tenure at Tulane, Nicholas continued to feed and assist homeless people on a number of occasions, and with God's blessings continually covering his life, he made the honor roll every semester, made the 2019-2020 All-Conference Academic Team, finished the 2020 fall semester with a 4.0 GPA and earned All-Conference Honor Roll versus Temple; and

WHEREAS, his athletic awards at Tulane are also astounding and include the 2020 Stephen Martin Scholar Award, PPF Football Third Team All-Conference, Phil Steele Third Team All-Conference, number two ranked linebacker and ranked number 49 out of the top 100 players in college football for the 2020 season, Louisiana Player of the Week Honor, two-time AAC Defensive Player of the Week, AAC Conference Championship Most Outstanding Defensive Player of the Game, AAC Honor Roll, AAC Academic All-American, Academic All-District Team, three-time All-Conference Honors, PFN 3rd Team All-American, and Cotton Bowl Scholar-Athlete Award Recipient; and

WHEREAS, Nicholas served for three seasons as a captain of the Tulane University Football Team, served as a youth instructor for Play Build NOLA, served as the chairman of My Ally: Student Athlete Diversity and Inclusion and served as a volunteer and coordinator for Team Community Service; and

WHEREAS, in May 2022, Nicholas graduated cum laude from Tulane University with a 3.5 GPA and bachelor of arts degree in homeland security studies and double minor in health and wellness and sociology, and he is currently preparing for the 2023 NFL Draft while also continuing his graduate school requirements for a master's degree in sports studies with certifications in sports administration and sports medicine; and

WHEREAS, once in the NFL, Nicholas hopes to continue advocating for the homeless and for enlisting strong role models for fatherless male children and teens with the goal to develop and implement nonprofit organizations to support these two causes and to one day win the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award for community service; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend the lives of fine Mississippians, especially men such as Nicholas Anderson, who has inspired young men throughout the state to strive for their dreams despite the challenges that lie ahead, which has brought glory and honor to the City of Vicksburg and to this 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 Nicholas Anderson for his numerous academic and athletic accomplishments, and express best wishes for continued success in all of his future endeavors.

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