Senate Resolution No. 281 BY: Senator KENNEDY CONGRATULATING the Lewis J. Bennett/Olmsted/Middle Early College/East High School Varsity Football Team upon the occasion of capturing the 2022 NYSPHSAA Football Class AA Championship on December 4, 2022 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 Lewis J. Bennett/Olmsted/Middle Early College/East High School Varsity Football Team upon the occasion of capturing the 2022 NYSPHSAA Football Class AA Championship; and WHEREAS, To the praise and applause of their excited fans, the number six ranked Tigers defeated number nine ranked Newburgh Free Academy in a decisive 42-8 victory to capture their first State Championship on Sunday, December 4, 2022, at the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse, New York; and WHEREAS, Proudly donning the school's colors of orange and navy, family, friends, and the community at large loyally and enthusiastically supported the Tigers throughout their journey as they ended their season with a winning overall record of 7-6; and WHEREAS, In a sport such as football, which demands athletic prowess, speed and agility, Head Coach Stevenson McDuffie and Assistant Coaches Patrick Foster, Bob O'Connor, Anthony Scott, Gary Wheeler, Aaron Young, Clifford Scott, Arthur Jordan, D'Juan Todd, Jordan Fayson, and Alex Clemons 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 field; and WHEREAS, Head Coach Stevenson McDuffie and all of the outstanding athletes on the Lewis J. Bennett/Olmsted/Middle Early College/East High School Varsity Football 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 Lewis J. Bennett/Olmsted/Middle Early College/East High School Varsity Football Team: Ja'Meer Thomas, Shamier Land, Aaron Roseboro, Demari Clemons, Cureem Hathcock, Jayden Lewis, Antonio Davis III, Noah McDuffie, Adam Nunez, Dominic Howard, Darrell Hamilton, Kahmari Cook, Donald Porter, Jordan Freeman, Izayon Pierce-Brown, Samaritan Subba, Tyrone Tarver, Alexander Tigg, Drevon Johnson, Jessie Blackburn-Hall, Austin Ahearn, Reponse Gisubizo, Cinnyon Sims, Jonathan Himenez, Muhamad Hussein, Paul Tolbert, Xzavier Goodman, Adrian Anderson, Jazier Fluker, Rashad Meadows-Barnes, Delshon Taylor, Jason Gwan, Jaizen Warren, Keir Bishop, Brian Croom, Jayvonne Covington, Tony Peebles, Ruben Ochoa, Rashad Loynes, Brendan Tillman, Rashard Perry, Kameron Olden, Tremaine Tigg, Jakai Toliver, Nyree Feaster, James Hill, Mikah Walker, Traevion Grable, OJ Fields, Amos Lutete, and Jamarcus Lucas; Head Coach Stevenson McDuffie; and Assistant Coaches Patrick Foster, Bob O'Connor, Anthony Scott, Gary Wheeler, Aaron Young, Clifford Scott, Arthur Jordan, D'Juan Todd, Jordan Fayson, and Alex Clemons upon the occasion of capturing the 2022 NYSPHSAA Football Class AA Championship on December 4, 2022; and be it further RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to the members of the Lewis J. Bennett/Olmsted/Middle Early College/East High School Varsity Football Team, Head Coach Stevenson McDuffie and Assistant Coaches Patrick Foster, Bob O'Connor, Anthony Scott, Gary Wheeler, Aaron Young, Clifford Scott, Arthur Jordan, D'Juan Todd, Jordan Fayson, and Alex Clemons.