HR0114 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0114 LRB103 31228 LAW 58186 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate the Jacksonville High School dance team, the J'ettes, on winning the 2023 Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Class 1A Competitive Dance Championship; and

WHEREAS, The IHSA Class 1A Competitive Dance Division, which is divided into five sectionals consisting of approximately 80 dance teams, was held at the Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington from January 27 to January 28, 2023; and

WHEREAS, The J'ettes passed the preliminary round on January 27, where the top 30 teams competed for the final 12 spots, advancing to compete in the finals on January 28; and

WHEREAS, The J'ettes finished with a score of 92.40, just edging ahead of Morris Community High School, which scored 92.35; and

WHEREAS, The J'ettes made history by earning the top spot in the IHSA Class 1A Competitive Dance Division, giving Jacksonville High School its first IHSA team championship since its 1988 volleyball team; and

WHEREAS, The J'ettes worked hard all year long, starting with Dance Camp in the summer; the team has additionally hosted an annual Kiddie Camp, held fundraising events, and led Radio Day; in the fall, the team participated in several parades, pep rallies, football games, and a fall dance clinic; and

WHEREAS, This season, the J'ettes successfully competed in three different organizations, IHSA, the Illinois Drill Team Association (IDTA), and the Universal Dance Association (UDA); and

WHEREAS, At the 2023 IDTA State Finals, the J'ettes were named champions in the AA Lyrical/Contemporary category and placed 2nd in the AA Open Pom and 3rd in the AA Grand Champions; and

WHEREAS, At the 2023 UDA National Dance Team Nationals in Orlando, Florida, the J'ettes ranked 12th in both the Large Varsity – Jazz and Large Varsity - Pom categories; and

WHEREAS, The J'ettes' spectacular showcase at the IHSA Class 1A Competitive Dance Finals made its hometown of Jacksonville extremely proud, and its dancers' hard work and determination to win will never be forgotten; and

WHEREAS, The J'ettes are led by Coaches Tiffany Hickox and Allyson Maul and Manager Marley VanAken; and

WHEREAS, The J'ettes team consists of 19 dancers, including six seniors, Co-captains Leah Hoffman and Ella Stremming and Squad Leaders Meredith Gallo, Anna Muller, Gwen Poole, and Issy Woods; five juniors, Squad Leaders Kate Alexander and Lindsey Hautala and members Lily Rohlk, Jacey Evans, and Kimmy Davis; six sophomores, Squad Leaders Elizabeth Stremming and Emma Wolters and members Kylie Chumley, Samantha Lawson, Hailey Weeks, and Gianna Williams; and two freshmen, Greta Bryson-Adams and Lily Hickox; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the Jacksonville High School dance team, the J'ettes, on winning the 2023 Illinois High School Association Class 1A Competitive Dance Championship; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we wish the J'ettes future success and many more triumphant seasons to come; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the J'ettes' coaches and team members as a symbol of our esteem and respect.