Senate Resolution No. 1585

BY: Senator TEDISCO

        CONGRATULATING the Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Girls
        Varsity   Volleyball   Team  upon  the  occasion  of
        capturing  the  2023  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
development 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 2023 New York State Class A Championship with an impressive
25-13,  25-19,  23-25,  25-22 four -set victory over Williamsville South
High School on Sunday, November 19, 2023,  at  Cool  Insuring  Arena  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 ninth state title in school history in addition to setting
a new school record by winning 32 matches; and

  WHEREAS, Furthermore, the Burnt Hills-Ballston  Lake  Girls  Varsity
Volleyball  Team  won  the  Harold Van Earden Memorial Tournament, BH-BL
Cider Tournament, along with the Saratoga Challenge; and

  WHEREAS, This is the 36th consecutive year that BH-BL Girls  Varsity
Volleyball   is  the  Suburban  Council  Grey  champions  and  the  21st
consecutive year being Section 2 Class A champions and  New  York  State
Regional champions.; 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, In addition to their  many  athletic  accomplishments,  the
Spartans   displayed   extraordinary  academic  effort  by  achieving  a
Scholar-Athlete team grade point average  of  96.7  percent;  they  have
proven themselves to be an unbeatable combination of talents, reflecting
favorably on their school; 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  sportsmanship,  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: Olivia Atkins, Alexa Belanger, Mackenzie Cahan, Audri
Chamberlain,  Sophie  Chevalier,  Ava  Goodemote,  Abbie  Harper,  Grace
Ippoliti,  McKenna  Law,  Jada  Leggieri,  Lauren Little, Julia Morales,
Sarah Robbins, Leah Scalise, Soph  Tassone,  Cassie  Vaughan,  and  Alex
Wemyss, along with Coach Gary Bynon and Assistant Coach Lauren Bynon and
staff  members  Sue Gestwick, Cara Olsen, Alison Bernardi, and Bill York
on their outstanding season and overall team record; and be it further

  RESOLVED, That copies of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted  to  the  Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake Girls Varsity Volleyball
Team, the aforementioned coaches, Athletic Director, Joe  Scalise,  High
School Principal, Timothy Brunson and Superintendent of Schools, Patrick
McGrath.