Cheerleaders take second at state

— The senior high cheerleading squad took second place in the 4A school division at state competiton in Hot Springs on Saturday. The win qualifies the team to compete on the national level at Orlando, Fla., in February.

Other accomplishments of the team this year include:

• Bentonville Invitational — First place and Grand Champion in all divisions;

• Siloam Springs Invitational — First place;

• Benton Invitational — Third place against 7A schools;

• Gentry Cheer Classic — First place and Grand Champion in the all-girl division;

• Harber Competition — Second place;

“The girls were really excited about their accomplishments this year and for their state runner-up finish,” said cheer coach Joni Wilson. “They were extremely excited to beat Nashville — a team that is always really good. We are totally pleased with our performance and our finish. We had a good performance and we were rewarded for it,” she said.

Stuttgart won the state 4A championship on Saturday, competing with a team of approximately 20 cheerleaders. The numbers on the squad gave them a decided advantage, according to Wilson.

Graham mobilized From Staff Reports

GENTRY — Army Reserve 2nd Lt. Amber V. Graham has been mobilized and activated for deployment overseas to a forward operating base in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Operation Iraqi Freedom is the official name given to military operations involving members of the U.S. armed forces and coalition forces participating in efforts to free and secure Iraq. Mission objectives focus on force protection, peacekeeping, stabilization, security and counter-insurgency operations as the Iraqi transitional governing bodies assume full sovereign powers to govern the peoples of Iraq.

Members from all branches of the U.S. military and multinational forces are also assisting in rebuilding Iraq’s economic and governmental infrastructure, and training and preparing Iraqi military and security forces to assume full authority and responsibility in defending and preserving Iraq’s sovereignty and independence as a democracy.

Graham, a civil affairs officer, is a member of the 352nd Civil Affairs Command, based in Fort Meade, Md. She has served in the military for seven years.

She is the daughter of Rodney H. Graham of Gentry, Ark., and Ruby B. Fuller of Bentonville, Ark. Her grandparents are Jane Saxon, and Jack Saxon, both of Rogers, Ark.

The lieutenant graduated in 2001 from Pea Ridge High School, Ark., and earned a bachelor’s degree in 2008 from Methodist College, Fayetteville, N.C.

News, Pages 8 on 12/09/2009