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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING THE SHABBONA PARK SAINTS PEE WEE FOOTBALL TEAM AND THE 11 Y.O. SHABBONA PARK SAINTS CHEERLEADER SQUAD, FOR THEIR AMAZING 2015 SEASON AND NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TITLES
WHEREAS, the Shabbona Park Saints Pee Wee football team started the 2015 season with a burning desire to bring home a National Championship Title, which had escaped them for the past 2 years; and
WHEREAS, the season’s game opening’s loss against Tri City, although overwhelming, strengthened the team members’ commitment to their goals and to undertaking the challenging road to victory; and
WHEREAS, after an exciting triumph against Park Ridge brought the team closer to finding their groove, a new trial and final lesson was waiting for them. On week 3 of the season, during a nail biting game against the Addison Cowboys, where the parents chanted, the crowd roared and the team fought harder than ever, several tough penalties cost them the game; and
WHEREAS, the remainder of the regular season, brought the sweet feeling of reaching the playoffs to a team that remained undefeated against Wildwood, Joliet, Leyden, Plainfield, and Westchester. These young warriors were now 3 games away from the Chicagoland United Youth Football League (UYFL) Pee Wee Title; and
WHEREAS, 3 more amazing victories against Plainfield, Addison and Homewood, gave them the
chance to bring home the National Title! The coaches prepared the players over the next 3 weeks. A true team had formed, they were family and they were ready; and
WHEREAS, the National Title would take them through 3 more games during a week in Florida, games that brought excitement, some disappointment, and great expectations. The final encounter came down to the last quarter. The Shabbona Park Saints Pee Wee football team defeated the Hornets 21-20, bringing the year to a perfect ending. They are now the UYFL Pee Wee Division National Champions; and
WHEREAS, while focusing on learning spirited cheerleading routines for the competition for their own titles, the 11 Y.O. Shabbona Park Saints Cheerleading Squad, comprised of mostly new members, attended and cheered at every one of the Shabbona Park Saints Pee Wee football games; and
WHEREAS, just 2 days after securing a spot at Nationals in Tampa, the Cheerleading Squad’s beloved head coach, “Coach Amy” passed away unexpectedly, leaving the squad without a coach and devastated by the loss; and
WHEREAS, the squad members unanimously decided that “Coach Amy” would want them to finish what they had begun, and enlisted the help of the mother of one of their members who had been a previous cheerleading coach and who agreed to step into the role of the head coach. The new head coach and the assistant coaches provided their knowledge and unconditional support to their team, working through several emotional breakdowns at every practice; and
WHEREAS, on the day of Coach Amy’s funeral, the squad cheered for their Pee-Wee football team during the National Championship football game, inspiring them to come from behind to win by one point. Several of the boys and their parents acknowledged that the encouragement that the cheerleading squad gave to them during the game helped to motivate them even more onto the win; and
WHEREAS, at the Cheerleading Nationals Competition, the Shabbona Park Saints 11 Y.O. cheerleading squad, having overcome true adversity, once again became the little team that could and won the National Title. After their performance, each squad member received a picture of “Coach Amy” holding a team photo of the 11 Y.O. cheerleading squad that had been taken 4 weeks earlier at the regional competition. It was clear that this squad was destined to be National Champions. “Coach Amy” had been with them the entire time; and
WHEREAS, these two amazing teams have learned that there is more to playing sports than just competing. They were taught discipline, sportsmanship, hard work, reliability, how to make sacrifices and how to deal with failure. Most importantly, they learned to work together and build confidence in themselves and their teammates. The 2015 season brought many up’s and down’s, tough games and tougher losses. These young athletes also learned that in sports, as in all things in life, they must never give up. It is with that drive and dreams that these two teams find themselves CHAMPIONS; thanks to their dedication, determination and the uncompromising pursuit of their dreams.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the President and Members of the Cook County Board of Commissioners do hereby recognize the incredible odds that the Shabbona Park Saints Pee Wee Team and the 11 Y.O. Shabbona Park Saints Cheerleading Squad had to overcome and congratulate these two teams’ members, coaches, and parents, on their attainment of their respective National Championship Titles; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the President and Members of the Cook County Board of Commissioners do also extend their deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to the family and friends of Coach Amy; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this text be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body and ceremonial copies of this resolution be presented to the members of the Shabbona Park Saints Pee Wee Team and the 11 Y.O. Shabbona Park Saints Cheerleading Squad.
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