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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING THE OAK FOREST HIGH SCHOOL BENGALS VARSITY CHEER SQUAD ON WINNING THE 2023 IHSA STATE CHEER SQUAD CHAMPIONSHIP
WHEREAS, the Oak Forest High School Bengals Varsity Cheer Squad won the IHSA State Cheer Squad Championship on February 4, 2023, in Bloomington, IL; and
WHEREAS, the day before in the preliminary rounds, the team went up against 25 teams, finishing third in the top 10 and securing a spot in the finals; and
WHEREAS, the squad landed a score of 97.67, sealing the deal on the program's third state championship in the Medium Varsity division. Previous titles were in 2021 and 2016, with runner-up finishes in 2012, 2019, 2020 and 2022; and
WHEREAS, this year’s team is comprised of Seniors Maddie Brankin, Eva Campbell, Katie Everitt, Jessica Gron, Colleen McMaster, Madelyn Ozminkowski, and Teegan Stranier, who became two-time state champions with the win; Juniors Janiya Brown, and Sarah Jensen; Sophomores Anna Crotty, Lillian Everitt, Skylar Fannin, and Lexi Pepper, and Freshmen Brooklyn Kincade, Aubrie Kucinski, and Chloe Prim; and
WHEREAS, the team is led by mother-daughter coaching duo Christine and Caitlin DiVent, known as Coach D and Coach CC with assistant coaches Denise Arenas and Brooke Eperjesi; and
WHEREAS, it was the first year in five that the team was all-female, but coaches embraced the moment, putting a "GIRL POWER" theme to the year, with lots of hot pink, and they created a motto of "Grit revives legacy, purpose wills results"; and
WHEREAS, according to their coaches, the squad came out on day 2 of the competition with a fierce confidence and hit their best routine of the season; and
WHEREAS, the competition on day 2 of the finals was extremely intense with seven of the top 10 teams hitting "perfect," deduction-free routines, which then brings final judging down to a few key factors-based on difficulty, execution and style with the Bengals squad scoring perfect 10's from all five officials for their motions to capture the victory edging out Lemont, with its second-place score of 95.03, and Antioch, with a 92.23; and
WHEREAS, Oak Forest High School Principal Dr. Jane Dempsey lauded the girls in a school announcement Monday after the competition, stating, "Their routine, Girl Power, celebrates 50 years since Title IX gave equal access to girls sports," adding, "The routine is hard hitting and requires precision, athleticism and power." Fans were decked out in hot pink for the weekend, and the girls wore matching pink bows in their hair; and
WHEREAS, it was such a different experience than the squad's last championship, won virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic, without an audience. The support and spirit in the arena were remarkable; and
WHEREAS, the squad returned home triumphantly to a parade and well wishes from the school and classmates, with "Congratulations State Champions" spelled out in the fence line near Oak Forest High School; and
WHEREAS, their excellent results are a testament to the hard work of the team, coaches, and the parents who supported them; and
WHEREAS, the Oak Forest City Council recognized the squad during its meeting on February 14th at City Hall, and the District 228 Board of Education honored their accomplishment at its February 21st meeting at Oak Forest High School; and
WHEREAS, this Honorable Body wishes to congratulate the success of these outstanding Oak Forest student athletes and their coaches;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the President and Members of the Cook County Board of Commissioners congratulates the Oak Forest High School Bengals Varsity Cheer Squad for their 2023 IHSA State Championship; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, this text be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body and that a suitable copy be presented to the squad members, coaches, and Principal of Oak Forest High School as a symbol of our respect and esteem.
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