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H. R. No. 124 *HR43/R2718* ~ OFFICIAL ~ N1/2
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To: Rules
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026
By: Representative Hobgood-Wilkes
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 124
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE 2025-2026 1
PICAYUNE MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL CHEERLEADING TEAM ON WINNING THE 2
2026 UNIVERSAL CHEERLEADING ASSOCIATION (UCA) NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL 3
CHEERLEADING CHAMPIONSHIP AND THE 2025 MISSISSIPPI HIGH SCHOOL 4
ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION (MHSAA) 6A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP. 5
WHEREAS, on February 8, 2026, with an extraordinary 6
performance that will surely not be forgotten, the Picayune 7
Memorial High School Maroon Tide Cheerleading Team reigned 8
supreme when the cheerleaders were named the 2026 Universal 9
Cheerleading Association (UCA) National High School Cheerleading 10
Champions in the Small Varsity D2 Non-Tumbling Game Day Division 11
at ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Florida; and 12
WHEREAS, before capturing first place in a competitive field 13
of over 80 programs from across the United States at the UCA 14
Nationals, the Maroon Tide Cheerleaders began what would 15
ultimately be part of a history-making event for Picayune Memorial 16
High School when the squad incredibly brought home the state title 17
from the 2025 Mississippi High School Activities Association 18
(MHSAA) State Cheerleading Championship in the 6A Varsity Game Day 19
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Division held at the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson on December 20
13, 2025; and 21
WHEREAS, with the Picayune Memorial cheerleaders unbelievably 22
being not only state champions but national champions, as well, in 23
the same season, the Maroon Tide's phenomenal year will go down in 24
the annals of school history as the first time ever that the 25
varsity cheerleading program has held both state and national 26
titles simultaneously; and 27
WHEREAS, the 2025-2026 cheerleading squad's winning routine, 28
specifically designed to showcase authentic game-day spirit, was 29
highlighted by a band chant, crowd-leading section, and the 30
Picayune Memorial High School Fight Song, and their flawless 31
execution, with precise movements seeming effortless as the 32
athletically fit cheerleaders performed as a cohesive unit, 33
clearly demonstrated the Maroon Tide cheerleading program's high 34
standards and unrivaled dominance; and 35
WHEREAS, through the Picayune Memorial High cheerleaders' 36
dedication and excellence in performance, members of the team have 37
demonstrated exceptional character and discipline, whether in the 38
classroom or on the sidelines or the mat, and have developed 39
unparalleled teamwork representing the highest standards of 40
sportsmanship and leadership through school spirit; and 41
WHEREAS, the remarkable success of the Picayune Memorial 42
Maroon Tide cheerleaders would not have been possible without the 43
countless hours of intense practice, positive attitudes and 44
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enthusiasm of each of the following talented student-athletes who 45
comprise the 2025-2026 varsity cheerleading squad: Captain 46
Kinsley Grays, Co-Captain Addison Watts, A'Layjah Buckley, Hollie 47
Hill, Kamryn Hayden, Aubrie Hinton, Devin Craft, Presley Wells, 48
Parker Johnson, Abby Miller, Addisyn Ruffin, Khloe Campbell, 49
Adelynn Smith, Keagan Archer, Kenya Badon, Maylee Woodard and 50
Destiny Kirby; and 51
WHEREAS, the cheerleaders have been superbly coached and 52
inspired by Head Cheer Coach Jessica Smith and Assistant Coach 53
Caroline Nichelson, who together have combined their considerable 54
talents and years of experience to refine the squad's skills and 55
precision in execution; and 56
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to 57
recognize and honor the achievements of outstanding 58
student-athletes such as the Picayune Memorial High School Maroon 59
Tide Cheerleaders, who have brought prestige and honor to their 60
families, school, the City of Picayune and the State of 61
Mississippi: 62
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF 63
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby 64
commend and congratulate the Picayune Memorial High School Maroon 65
Tide Cheerleaders and Cheer Coaches Jessica Smith and Caroline 66
Nichelson on winning the 2026 Universal Cheerleading Association 67
(UCA) National High School Cheerleading Championship in the Small 68
Varsity D2 Non-Tumbling Game Day Division and the 2025 Mississippi 69
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ST: Picayune Memorial High School Cheerleaders;
commend on winning state and national
championships.
High School Activities Association (MHSAA) 6A Varsity Game Day 70
Division Cheer State Championship and extend best wishes to the 71
team for continued success in all their future athletic and 72
academic endeavors. 73
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be 74
furnished to the Picayune Memorial High School Maroon Tide 75
Cheerleading Team and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps. 76