Senate Concurrent Resolution 612

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE OXFORD HIGH SCHOOL "CHARGERS" CHEERLEADING TEAM FOR WINNING THEIR FIRST-EVER NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL CHEERLEADING CHAMPIONSHIP IN ORLANDO, FLORIDA.

WHEREAS, Oxford High School's Cheerleaders left Oxford as talented competitors, and returned as Universal Cheerleaders Association National Champions. The Charger Cheerleaders won their first-ever National Title in the Medium Division of the Game Day National Competition, which took place February 11-12, 2017, at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando. The competitions were televised by ESPN and ESPN2; and

WHEREAS, the National High School Cheerleading Championship (NHSCC) is the most prestigious Cheerleading Championship in the country. The NHSCC is held at the Walt Disney World® Resort in Orlando, Florida, and nationally televised on ESPN and ESPN2 to over 100 million homes and 32 countries nationwide each year. The Championship is also streamed live on Varsity TV on Varsity.com; and

WHEREAS, "Game Day Nationals is a really great experience," said Oxford Principal Bradley Roberson, whose wife Nicole is a former Ole Miss Cheerleader and one of Oxford's Cheerleader Coaches. "They have to go out on the floor and the judge or commentator calls out a scenario. Then they are on the spot to call the offensive cheer and execute it." The competition Oxford was up against were from all over the country. The final round included squads from Connecticut, New Jersey, Louisiana, and Florida, among others. "It's extremely exciting when you have a group of young people who are representing your school in a fashion that everyone can see the success of the students you have at your school," he said. "They weren't just representing us for those 2-1/2 minutes, they represented us through the entire competition"; and

WHEREAS, the Cheerleading Squad practiced all summer long starting at 7 a.m. each day. During the school year, they practice every day after school, and then stay extra late on Mondays and Wednesdays. In most sports, you have got another chance, you have another game if you lose, but these girls don't get that opportunity. You have got to be perfect. You only get one shot, and the amount of pressure is enormous; and

WHEREAS, the 2016-2017 Oxford High School Chargers Championship Cheerleading Squad is: Kate Abraham, Meg Anderson, Sara Caroline Bridgers, Ansley Byars, Cassidy Card, Anna Grace Chandler, Miller Elliot, Meredith Goza, Emily Hayward, McLain Hill, Kaitlyn Kennedy, Merrill Lamar, Marjorie Ann Neilson, Lexi Nichopoulos, Katie Parker, Shelby Singletary, Sydney Spears, McKenzie Tyler, Brynnen Yoste and Carlisle Yoste, and Allison Wally, Varsity Coach; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this group of student athletes who 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 Oxford High School "Chargers" Cheerleading Team for winning their first-ever National High School Cheerleading Championship in Orlando, Florida, and extend to the team, coaches, parents and sponsors our best wishes for future success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the Oxford High School Cheerleading Team and Principal Bradley Roberson, forwarded to the Oxford School Board, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.