LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake
Girls Varsity Volleyball Team upon the occasion of capturing the 2015
New York State 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 Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Girls Varsity Volleyball Team
captured the 2015 New York State Class A Championship with an impressive
25-16, 25-17, 25-19 victory sweep over Walter Panas High School on
Sunday, November 22, 2015, at the Glens Falls Civic Center in Glens
Falls, New York; and
WHEREAS, Utilizing outstanding talent and exceptional team play, the
Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Spartans capped a spectacular season by
winning their sixth state title in school history in addition to setting
a new program record for most victories in a season; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Girls Varsity
Volleyball Team was named champions of the Harold Van Earden Tournament,
Baldwinsville Tournament, John Glenn Tournament, Suburban Council Grey
Division, and State Regionals; and
WHEREAS, In addition to their many athletic accomplishments, the Spar-
tans displayed extraordinary academic effort by achieving a Scholar-Ath-
lete team grade point average of 97.61 percent; they have proven them-
selves to be an unbeatable combination of talents, reflecting favorably
on their school; and
WHEREAS, The athletic talent displayed by this team is due in great
part to the efforts of Coach Gary Bynon, a skilled and inspirational
tutor, respected for his ability to develop potential into excellence;
and
WHEREAS, The team's overall record of 31-1 is outstanding, and the
team members were loyally and enthusiastically supported by family,
fans, friends and the community at large; and
WHEREAS, In addition, the Spartans were supported by their school's
administration and board members, including: Superintendent of Schools,
Patrick McGrath; School Board President, John Blowers; School Board Vice
President, Peter Sawyer; Board Members, Jennifer Bradt, William Farmer,
James Maughan, Jennifer Longtin, and Lee-Ann Mertzlufft; High School
Principal, Timothy Brunson; and Athletic Director, Joe Scalise; and
WHEREAS, The hallmarks of the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Girls Varsity
Volleyball Team, from the opening game of the season to participation in
the championship, were a sisterhood of athletic ability, of good sports-
manship, of honor and of scholarship, demonstrating that these team
players are second to none; and
WHEREAS, Coach Gary Bynon has 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 Gary Bynon and these exceptional 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 Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Girls Varsity Volleyball
Team; its members: Natalie Albright, Ashlynn Apffel, Niki Blatnick, Myla

Dobson, Jessica Fowler, Miya Hugaboom, Kate Isaksen, Meghan Keyes,
Olivia Lewandowski, Alexandra Pawlusik, Avery Pollard, Natalie Schurman,
Hannah Shell, Kiera Walsh, Kelly Waters; Coach Gary Bynon, and Assistant
Coaches Melissa Armstrong, Sue Gestwick and Maria Allocco 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 Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Girls Varsity Volleyball Team
and the aforementioned coaches.