LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating the Phoenix Central School
District Marching Band upon the occasion of winning the 2014 Small
Schools Class 2 New York State Marching Band Championship

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend those dedicated and distinguished teams that are committed to
the pursuit of excellence, bringing great pride to the citizens of New
York State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor the
Phoenix Central School District Marching Band upon the occasion of
capturing the 2014 Small Schools Class 2 New York State Marching Band
Championship; and
WHEREAS, Known as the Firebirds, the Phoenix Central School District
Marching Band traveled to the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, New York, on
Sunday, October 26, 2014, to capture the championship; and
WHEREAS, The competition included more than 50 high schools from three
states; each band performed a seven to ten minute show for a panel of 10
judges, and were evaluated on their musical and visual presentation; and
WHEREAS, When it was time to perform, each and every member of the
Phoenix Central School District Marching Band had in mind the goal of
representing themselves, their school and their community by performing
with the highest standard of excellence; and
WHEREAS, The 2014 Phoenix Central School District Marching Band faced
stiff competition from eight other schools in their class to win the
Championship; and
WHEREAS, The musical arrangement performed by the Phoenix Central
School District Marching Band was titled, "In the Grid" in which the
Firebirds impressed the judges and scored an 86.59 to edge out the
marching band from Mineola, New York; and
WHEREAS, After all eight schools in the Small Schools 2 Class finished
their performances and the judges tallied their scores, the Phoenix
Firebirds came out victorious, to take first place in the competition;
and
WHEREAS, No marching band can succeed without outstanding talent
throughout its entire roster; such was the case for the 2014 Phoenix
Central School Distict Marching Band whose members include: Kearra
Backus, Mikayla Bailey, Catherine Barnhart, Donovan Basile, Maggie-Lee
Basile, Madison Bird, Kevin Borza, Brian Breen, Amanda Briggs, Emma
Brunell, Benjamin Bulgrien, Christopher Caltabiano, Caitlynn Cromp,
Nathan Debiew, Hali Denniston, Joshua Dievendorf, Victoria Dievendorf,
Kimber-Lyn Dolbear, Michael Doran, Skyler Dunn, Marrisa Ellis, Ashley
Ewald, Nicole Fitzgerald, Emily Forget, Trinity Green, Jaqueline Greer,
Alexis Hagg, Caitlyn Hahn, Alyssa Harrington, James Howe, Ethan Hunt,
Ashley Johnson, Mason Lange, Ryan Lange, Nina Lewis, Joshua Margrey,
Karly McCann, Christine McCarthy, Thomas McCarthy, Paige McEwen, Shania
Meaker, Zachariah Neupert, Kaileigh Newman, Christopher Nicolella, Jacob
Nicolini, Wyatt Parker, Skyler Patnode, Caytlyn Prickett, Makaylee
Pulver, Aubrianna Renfrew, Jessie Ross, Justin Ross, Hannah Sallis,
Natalie Schebell, Mairin Sgroi, Jacqueline Shaffer, Sean Sievers, Septi-
ma Stobart, Allison Strang, Carolanne Switzer, Zachary Thompson, Chey-
enne VanBuskirk, Abigail Venskus, Maryssa Wallace, Derick White, Kaitlin
White, and Carolynn Woodside; and
WHEREAS, The extremely high level of musical talent, hard work and
team-centered mentality displayed by the members of the 2014 Phoenix
Central School District Marching Band is due in part to the dedication

and guidance of Band Director, Nick Gerling, Assistant Director,
Michelle Rudy, and a talented staff; and
WHEREAS, It should be further noted that excellence in field band is
possible only through vigorous practice and discipline, habits that will
guide these young musicians to a lifetime of success in the musical
field or other career fields; and
WHEREAS, It is known that dedicated and distinguished teams, such as
the Phoenix Central School District Marching Band, cannot achieve the
highest standards of success without the support of those who devote
countless hours of their time to the marching band; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor the members of the Phoenix Central School District Marching Band,
who positively represent their school, who are role models to their
classmates, who exemplify the marching band's goal of continued excel-
lence, and who have brought great pride to their community; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Nick Gerling, Director of the Phoenix Central School District
Marching Band, and Judy Belfield, School District Superintendent.