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H. R. No. 146 *HR26/R2742* ~ OFFICIAL ~ N1/2
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To: Rules
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026
By: Representative Calvert
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 146
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE WEST 1
LAUDERDALE HIGH SCHOOL LADY KNIGHTS SOCCER TEAM UPON WINNING THE 2
MISSISSIPPI HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION (MHSAA) CLASS 4A 3
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP. 4
WHEREAS, the West Lauderdale High School Lady Knights Soccer 5
Team reigned supreme at the Mississippi High School Activities 6
Association (MHSAA) Class 4A State Championship, triumphantly 7
capping off the season by bringing home the coveted Gold Ball; and 8
WHEREAS, on February 21, 2026, fans crowded the Ridgeland 9
High School soccer field to watch the Lady Knights showcase their 10
extraordinary skill and determination on the pitch, and the team's 11
outstanding performance did not disappoint as they clinched the 12
championship title in a shutout three-nil victory over the New 13
Albany Lady Bulldogs; and 14
WHEREAS, West Lauderdale started off strong in the first half 15
after being awarded a penalty kick, an opportunity not wasted by 16
sophomore Aubri Cooper, who successfully put one past the keeper 17
for an early 1-0 lead; and 18
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WHEREAS, with 23 minutes left in the second half, freshman 19
Harleigh Culpepper floated one into the net, bringing the team one 20
goal closer to the championship title, and Aubri Cooper, who was 21
named MVP of the match, ensured the team's ultimate victory with 22
another penalty kick in the final minutes of the game, securing 23
the well-earned win for the Lady Knights in the grand finale of 24
their incredible season; and 25
WHEREAS, the team's 2-1 loss in the 2025 championship game 26
lit a fire under this year's players, motivating them to train 27
even harder and return to the tournament better than before, and 28
their unmatched commitment and hard work paid off in spades, 29
making their comeback victory that much sweeter; and 30
WHEREAS, ranked 5th overall in the state, the Lady Knights 31
have relied on their swift feet, strategic maneuvering and 32
athletic prowess to outlast and outplay their opponents, closing 33
the season with a 19-5-1 record, 96 goals scored and 18 goals 34
conceded; and 35
WHEREAS, the Lady Knights have ascended to the pinnacle of 36
soccer excellence this season thanks to the innate talent and 37
ceaseless spirit of the team's athletes: Addison Scott, Ava 38
Towner, Jena Shirley, Annisten Snider, Audrey Smith, Eden 39
Culpepper, Elizabeth Bailey, Aubri Cooper, Chloe Reid, Kylie Reid, 40
Lexy Followay, Presleigh Wade, Anne Larkin Vollor, Harleigh 41
Culpepper, Kylie Graham, Mallery Hicks, Morgan Copeland, Nora 42
Peterson, Ruby Fairchild, Sara Frichter, Savannah Knight, Addi 43
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Snider, Dru Hart, Jordyn Cottrill, Kaitlyn Bearden, Sadie Clay, 44
Aven Molony, Aven Stringer, Avery Blake Shirley, Jolee Bunyard, 45
Lyda Kate Scarbrough, Sadie Fairchild and Willow Culpepper, with 46
the support of the team's managers: Macy Shirley and Marley 47
Pickett; and 48
WHEREAS, under the guidance and direction of Head Coach 49
Brandon Rodgers and Assistant Coach Celeste Copeland, the Lady 50
Knights have reached new heights of success this season, and this 51
dynamic coaching staff has tirelessly supported and encouraged 52
each and every individual team member to be the best athlete 53
possible, building a prestigious soccer program that has earned 54
its reputation as a powerhouse in the State of Mississippi; and 55
WHEREAS, the Lady Knights will surely carry the unforgettable 56
memories they have made during their spectacular season, as well 57
as the lessons of teamwork, dedication and perseverance they have 58
learned, throughout their lives as they remember the feeling of 59
greatness that accompanies being a champion; and 60
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to 61
recognize and commend outstanding Mississippi student-athletes, 62
especially those such as the West Lauderdale High School Lady 63
Knights Soccer Team, and it is with immense pride that we 64
congratulate this elite group of young women, who have brought 65
great honor to their school, their community and the entire State 66
of Mississippi: 67
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ST: West Lauderdale Lady Knights Soccer Team;
commend upon winning MHSAA Class 4A State
Championship.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF 68
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby 69
commend and congratulate the West Lauderdale High School Lady 70
Knights Soccer Team upon winning the Mississippi High School 71
Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 4A State Championship, and 72
extend best wishes to the team for continued success in all their 73
future endeavors. 74
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be 75
furnished to the West Lauderdale High School Lady Knights Soccer 76
Team and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps. 77