LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating the Bethlehem Eagles Junior Pee
Wee Cheer Team upon the occasion of capturing first place at the 2015
Pop Warner National Cheer and Dance Championships

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, This Legislative Body is justly proud to congratulate the
Bethlehem Pop Warner Junior Pee Wee Cheer Team upon the occasion of
capturing first place at the 2015 Pop Warner National Cheer and Dance
Championships held on Wednesday, December 9, 2015 at the ESPN Wide World
of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Florida; and
WHEREAS, Utilizing exceptional talent and an outstanding work ethic,
the Bethlehem Pop Warner Junior Pee Wee Eagles Cheer Team competed
against 16 teams from across the country to win first place at the eight
day Pop Warner National Cheer and Dance Championships; and
WHEREAS, The Bethlehem Eagles began their season by winning the Empire
State Cheer Classic in Syracuse, New York, setting the stage for an
incredible year in which they won each and every competition they
entered; and
WHEREAS, These remarkable athletes began their Road to the Nationals
with a first place finish at the Capital District Pop Warner Cheer
Competition in Colonie, New York, earning them a place at the Eastern
Region Pop Warner Championships; and
WHEREAS, During the Eastern Region Pop Warner Championships held in
Trenton, New Jersey, the Bethlehem Eagles were victorious over teams
from across the East Coast to once again secure first place and a trip
to the National finals; and
WHEREAS, Comprised of 12 girls, ages 8-12, the Bethlehem Eagles Junior
Pee Wee Cheer Team includes three members who have attended the National
Championships in previous years, and three members who have never
cheered before until this past August; and
WHEREAS, The athletic talent displayed by this team is due in great
part to the efforts of Head Coach Becky vonWedel and her staff, skilled
and inspirational tutors, respected for their ability to develop poten-
tial into excellence; and
WHEREAS, The dedicated and hardworking team members were loyally and
enthusiastically supported by family, fans, friends and the community at
large, who worked tirelessly to help make this outstanding season possi-
ble; and
WHEREAS, Sports competition instills the values of teamwork, pride and
accomplishment, and the Bethlehem Eagles Junior Pee Wee Cheer Team has
clearly made a contribution to the spirit of excellence which is a
tradition of its community and the Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate the Bethlehem Eagles Junior Pee Wee Cheer Team; its
members: Jadyn Bennett-Smith, Rachel Boni, Jill DeCancio, Briana
Kilgallon, Lena King, Maya Koennecke, Hannah Lauenstein, Sophie Lauen-
stein, Madeline Rounds, Sophia Rounds, Katherine Sauders, Kelsey vonWe-
del; Head Coach Becky vonWedel, and Assistant Coaches April Rounds and
Mandy Koennecke, as well as BPW Cheer Coordinator Suzy Sodergren, 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 Bethlehem Eagles Junior Pee Wee Cheer Team and to the
aforementioned coaches.