[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 13193-13194]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               CONGRATULATIONS TO THE ALVIN LADY JACKETS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RON PAUL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 19, 2008

  Mr. PAUL. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to congratulate the Alvin Lady 
Jackets softball team on becoming the first fourth seed softball team 
in Texas history to win the University Interscholastic League 
Championship.
  One factor behind the Lady Jackets success was head coach Carla 
Newsom's determination to make sure her team found the silver lining in 
every seemingly dark cloud. For example, when the Lady Jackets lost the 
first game of a best of three series in the regional semi-final, Coach 
Newsom told the team to be thankful for the loss for two reasons. 
First, they could now wear their ``dress white'' uniforms in the next 
games: and second, and most importantly, they no longer had to eat 
spaghetti with meatballs for their pre-game meal.
  The team adopted the Journey song ``Don't Stop Believing'' as their 
anthem. The girls sang the song before, during, and after the games 
throughout the playoffs. On the night of the final game for the State 
Championship, the first game of the evening lasted 15 long innings, 
delaying the start of the Lady Jackets' game by almost two hours. As 
they were waiting in their dugout for their time, the Lady Jackets kept 
their sprits up by singing their anthem, much to the joy of their loyal 
fans who heard ``Don't Stop Believing'' resonating from the dugout.
  Lady Jacket Amber Anderson was awarded the MVP award of the State 
tournament; was named the Texas High School Softball Player of the Year 
and was one of two Lady Jacket players, along with Alexis Joseph, named 
Texas Girls Coaches Association all State player of the year. Coach 
Newsom was named Texas Girls Coaches Association Coach of the Year 
2008.
  All graduating seniors on the Lady Jackets team are planning to 
continue their involvement in organized softball at the collegiate 
level. Madam Speaker, I again extend my congratulations to the players 
and coaches of the Lady Jackets and insert the Lady Jackets 
championship roster into the Congressional Record.

[[Page 13194]]




                        2008 alvin lady jackets

       Jessica Savage, Amber Anderson, Vanessa Eng, Alexis Joseph, 
     Tiffany Denham, Britni Wells, Kelsey Nichols, Megan Potts, 
     Natalie Farias, Kelsi Kettler.
       Megan Knippa, Meghan Gomez, Megan Garza, Amber Brooks, 
     Adela Gomez, Maci Meyer, Nicole Powers, Lauren Denny, Alicia 
     Smith.
       Head Coach: Carla Newsom; varsity assistant: Kelly Bembry; 
     assistant coaches: Jennifer Dominguez, Paula Tafelski; 
     trainer: Eric Nuncio; manager: Brady Hudson.
       Athletic Director: Mike Bass; Alvin High School Principal: 
     Kevon Wells; Superintendent: Dr. Robby McGowen.

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