Senate Resolution No. 912

BY: Senator HARCKHAM

CONGRATULATING the Walter Panas High School
Varsity Girls Basketball Team upon the occasion of
capturing the NYSPHSAA Basketball Class A
Championship on March 18, 2023

WHEREAS, Individual and team championships are highly sought after
in high school sports; this Legislative Body commends rare athletic
achievements and pays special recognition to those who pursue such
excellence and become examples for the youth of this great Empire State;
and

WHEREAS, Athletic competition helps to enhance both the moral and
physical development of young athletes, preparing them for the future by
instilling in them the importance of teamwork, encouraging a standard of
healthy living, and developing a sense of fair play and competition; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to congratulate the
Walter Panas High School Varsity Girls Basketball Team upon the occasion
of capturing the 2023 NYSPHSAA Basketball Class A Championship; and

WHEREAS, To the praise and applause of their excited fans, the Lady
Panthers defeated Canandaigua Academy in a decisive 61-51 victory to win
their first championship in program history on Saturday, March 18, 2023,
at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, New York; and

WHEREAS, Proudly donning the school's colors of blue and gold,
family, friends, and the community at large loyally and enthusiastically
supported the Panthers throughout their journey as they ended their
season with an impressive 23-5 overall record; and

WHEREAS, In a sport such as basketball, which demands athletic
prowess, speed and agility, Head Coach Matt Evangelista and Assistant
Coaches Brandon Thomas, Melissa Danko, and Mike Murphy have worked hard
to hone the skills of this championship team, teaching these outstanding
athletes lessons which will prove invaluable both on and off the court;
and

WHEREAS, Head Coach Matt Evangelista and all of the outstanding
athletes on the Walter Panas High School Varsity Girls Basketball Team
have clearly utilized dedication, determination and teamwork in
providing a lasting 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 members of the Walter Panas High School Varsity Girls
Basketball Team: Kelsey Cregan, Julia Gallinger, Sarah Chiulli, Kara
Mattson, Kaitlyn Wilkowski, Cadence Nicholas, Sofia Tavarez, Kiara
Williams, Jillian Cinquina, Katie Hofmann, Kelly McAleese, and Emily
Jankowski; Head Coach Matt Evangelista, and Assistant Coaches Brandon
Thomas, Melissa Danko, and Mike Murphy upon the occasion of capturing
the 2023 NYSPHSAA Basketball Class A Championship; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the members of the Walter Panas High School Varsity Girls
Basketball Team, Head Coach Matt Evangelista, and Assistant Coaches
Brandon Thomas, Melissa Danko, and Mike Murphy.