Bluffton Today - May 5, 2008
I told you last week that I would report on crossover winners and losers this week, but crossover was Wednesday and Thursday was a very heavy day and I have not had time to prepare a considered analysis for you. Next week. What I want to tell you about is the tremendous reception our Bluffton High School Girls Volleyball Team received on the House floor in recognition of their 2007 AAA Championship.
The Lady Bobcats, along with Coach Al Stern, Coach Herb Spaulding, AD Dave McAdams, and a number of proud parents, finally made their long awaited appearance at the statehouse. After these fine young women filed out onto the floor and were positioned in front of the entire chamber of the House of Representatives and all the visitors, I gave a short introductory talk on what this group and this championship meant to our school and our community. After my remarks, the Lady Bobcats were given a standing ovation of impressive sincerity and duration.
Apparently, some home folks caught the ceremony on the house web site and asked for a copy of my talk, as did some of the parents in attendance. In response, I will share the entirety of my remarks, which were literally composed on the back of an envelope. What I lacked in polish, I more than make up with pride in our community and admiration for what has been accomplished in such a short time.
"Mr. Speaker, Ladies and Gentlemen of the House, honored guests and valued visitors, this is truly a momentous occasion. I have spent the last six years in this chamber, humbly watching teams from other schools come here to be honored, knowing full well that Bluffton had the talent, but not the tenure—the drive, but not the days—the heart, but not the hours-- to be champions. You see, Bluffton High School has only been in existence barely four years. In only their fourth year, the Bluffton High School AAA Lady Bobcats went 45 and 5, a splendid season. But that is only part of the story.
The previous year, the great Pickens High School won their third straight state championship and this year seemed no different. That is, until the Lady Bobcats from Bluffton came to town. It started out as a repeat of the previous years, with the powerful Pickens Blue Flame taking the first game 25-7.
Mr. Speaker, ladies and gentlemen, those of us from the Lowcountry know that among the few certainties of this life is the fact that the tide will always turn. And the tide certainly changed that day.
After having the door slammed on them in the first game, Coach Stern and Coach Spaulding rallied the Lady Bobcats to find a new door, a door to confidence and ultimate victory, a door to the championship. Senior Heaven Harvey had a career high 12 kills and Kayla Spaulding, Nicole Schultz, Marissa Johnson and Hannah Cappleman anchored the team and took the next two games to win the 2007 Class AAA Championship. I remind you this team, and this school were only four years old. Kayla Spaulding and Heaven Harvey were named All-State Players of the Year, and Haley Sulka was named Region Seven Player of the Year.
It is my great honor, to not only have these champions up here, but to recognize Athletic Director Dave McAdams, who has led Bluffton High School to unprecedented achievement in four years. I would also like to recognize Coach Spaulding for his leadership and to recognize the proud parents and supporters of the Lady Bobcats who are in the balcony. Before I recognize Head Coach Al Stern, I would like to add a personal note that two of my favorite young women are here as members of the team, Haley Sulka and Ella Wyman. I have known these girls since they were babies, and I am so proud to have them here as champions.
I would like to present Coach Al Stern with this House Resolution. Coach Stern has been an example and a hero to a lot of our folks in Bluffton. Coach Stern, please accept this Resolution commending you and the Lady Bobcats on winning the 2007 Class AAA State Championship. Coach, I am proud to have you here and it is an honor to have the team with us today. Ladies and gentlemen, please help me welcome and honor Coach Stern and the champions, the Lady Bobcats."
With that, the entire chamber rose in ovation. It was a good day.
