LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating the Wallkill High School Girls
Varsity Basketball Team and Coach A.J. Higby upon the occasion of
capturing the Section 9 Class A Championship

WHEREAS, Excellence and success in competitive sports can be achieved
only through strenuous practice, team play and team spirit, nurtured by
dedicated coaching and strategic planning; and
WHEREAS, Athletic competition enhances the moral and physical develop-
ment of the young people of this State, preparing them for the future by
instilling in them the value of teamwork, encouraging a standard of
healthy living, imparting a desire for success and developing a sense of
fair play and competition; and
WHEREAS, The Wallkill High School Girls Varsity Basketball Team
captured the 2014 Section 9 Class A Championship on Saturday March 1,
2014, defeating Cornwall 41-26; and
WHEREAS, The athletic talent displayed by this team is due in great
part to the efforts of Coach A.J. Higby, a skilled and inspirational
tutor, respected for his ability to develop potential into excellence;
and
WHEREAS, The team was undefeated in Class A play and its overall
record, 20-1, is outstanding; the team members were loyally and enthusi-
astically supported by family, fans, friends and the community at large;
and
WHEREAS, The hallmarks of the Wallkill Panthers, from the opening game
of the season to participation in the championship, were a sisterhood of
athletic ability, good sportsmanship, honor and scholarship, demonstrat-
ing that these athletes are second to none; and
WHEREAS, Athletically and academically, the team members have proven
themselves to be an unbeatable combination of talents, reflecting favor-
ably on their school; and
WHEREAS, Coach A.J. Higby and his dedicated staff have done a superb
job in guiding, molding and inspiring the team members toward their
goals; and
WHEREAS, Sports competition instills the values of teamwork, pride and
accomplishment, and Coach A.J. Higby and all of the outstanding athletes
have clearly made a contribution to the spirit of excellence which is a
tradition of their school; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate the Wallkill High School Girls Varsity Basketball Team; its
members: Marlee Smith, Sam Valiando, Courtney Blasko, Brianna Marchion-
da, Tatiana Williams, Rachel Simon, Julia Annabel, Kelly Markisello,
Chelsea Murphy, Heather Kiczek, Bridget McKeever, Jenna Lee, Lauren
Diener; and Coach A.J. Higby, and Assistant Coaches Sean Murphy and
Megan Crowley on their outstanding season and overall team record; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Wallkill High School Girls Varsity Basketball Team and to
Coach A.J. Higby.