Senate Resolution 41

(As Adopted by Senate)

A RESOLUTION OFFERING THE SINCEREST CONGRATULATIONS OF THE MISSISSIPPI SENATE TO NICHOLAS ANDERSON OF VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI, IN RECOGNITION OF HIS OUTSTANDING FOOTBALL AWARDS AT THE HIGH SCHOOL, JUNIOR COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY LEVEL AND FOR HIS CAMPUS LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNITY SERVICE.

WHEREAS, we join the family, friends and fellow citizens of Vicksburg, Mississippi, in recognizing the athletic, academic and community awards of Nicholas Anderson who is the grandson of Vicksburg Mayor and former Representative George Flaggs; and

WHEREAS, the life and accomplishments of Nicholas Anderson are an inspiration for all athletes. Nicholas acquired a passion for sports as a very young YMCA athlete, and football became his niche, leading to academic and athletic success throughout elementary, high school and college careers. Constant faith and maintaining academic excellence were and have remained his first priority; however, he gave football just as much fervor and determination. He graduated with a 4.61 GPA and third in his 2018 Vicksburg High School class of 221 seniors. Some of Nicholas' high school athletic accomplishments include: First Team All-State, First Team All-District, All-District Most Valuable Linebacker, and back-to-back All-County Defensive Player of the Year. Participating in community awareness activities through Vicksburg High School and Chick-fil-A Leadership Academy fostered his dedication to helping others in need, especially children and the homeless; and

WHEREAS, he chose to attend Jones Junior College. After one academic semester and football season, he transferred from Jones with a 4.0 GPA in addition to First All-State and All-Conference at the junior college level, and Junior College All-American awards. Nicholas matriculated to Tulane University in the 2019 spring semester. Life at this prestigious university was amazing, adventurous and awarding for him. Through sheer diligence and determination, he overcame hardships, enjoyed achievements, reached goals and became a heartfelt part of the

Tulane family. Through Tulane and his teammates, Nicholas was active in feeding and assisting the homeless. He made the honor roll every semester at Tulane, made the 2019-2020 All-Conference Academic Team, had a 4.00 GPA for the December 2020 fall semester, and earned All-Conference Honor Roll vs Temple; and

WHEREAS, Nicholas' athletic awards include the 2020 Stephen Martin Scholar Award; PPF Football Third Team All-Conference; Phil Steele Third Team All-Conference; number-two Ranked Linebacker for the 2020 season; and ranked number forty-nine out of the top one hundred players in college football. Since 2020, he has received a number of accolades, including Louisiana Player of the Week Honor; AAC Defensive Player of the Week two times; AAC Conference Championship Most Outstanding Defensive Player of the Game; AAC Honor Roll; AAC Academic All-American; Academic All-District Team; All-Conference Honors three times; PFN Third Team All-American; and Cotton Bowl Scholar-Athlete Award Recipient. In May of 2022, he graduated Cum Laude (3.5 GPA) from Tulane University; and

WHEREAS, Nicholas' work with campus leadership and community service include:

Student Athlete Diversity and Inclusion, Chairman:

● Advocating for the growth in relations between African American student-athletes and nonathletic students at Tulane University;

● Educating groups on financial literacy, history of positive African American individuals who attended Tulane, social justice and equality issues, current news and resources to improve collegiate student experience;

● Providing a safe space for African American and other minority students and student athletes to come and fellowship with one another;

Team Community Service, Volunteer/Coordinator:

● Providing and distributing meals for the homeless in the City of New Orleans on a constant basis;

● Planting trees and executing trash cleanups in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans;

● Mentoring and engaging in activities with Son of a Saint, an organization for fatherless boys in the City of New Orleans; ● Visiting the Children's Hospital to socialize with the patients;

PlayBuild NOLA Youth Instructor:

● Mentoring children ages 7-13;

● Learning ways to connect with the youth to evaluate and establish long-term aspirations leading to future goals and accomplishments;

● Contributing by organizing and hosting workshops for the development of skills needed for the children's success;

● Providing support to a diverse population of children from different socioeconomic backgrounds;

● Communicating strategies to organization supervisors on the need for and importance of a development in the relationship between young male children and adult males in the Community of New Orleans; and

WHEREAS, Nicholas 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. He is adamant about advocating for the homeless and for enlisting strong role models for fatherless male children and teens. His goals are 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. Nicholas is also determined to be a constant

and positive force in the lives of his family. The "I" in the middle of the word "Faith" not only represents his Tulane football team number but is also representative of what comes first in his journey, his life and his success; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we commend a young Mississippi athlete and citizen who has brought honor to his family, his community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby offer the sincerest congratulations of the Mississippi Senate to Nicholas Anderson of Vicksburg, Mississippi, in recognition of his outstanding football awards at the high school, junior college and university level and for his campus leadership and community service, and we extend our best wishes for future professional football and career success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Nicholas Anderson and his family, forwarded to Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.