Answer:

excelsior

AnswerCrossword Clue
EXCELSIORNew York's "ever upward" motto
EXCELSIORMotto of the Empire State.
EXCELSIORPadding material
EXCELSIORFine wood shavings
EXCELSIORRearranged six Creole wood cuttings (9)
EXCELSIORNew York state motto ("ever upward")
EXCELSIORNew York's motto
EXCELSIORNew York's state motto