Gravette cheer squads take awards at camp

Gravette All-American cheerleaders, back row, Taylor Eaton, Kayla Holliday, “Leo the Lion” Sayer Smith, Candace Pembleton and Meghan McAfee. Front row, A.J. Clabon and Micayla Hendricks.
Gravette All-American cheerleaders, back row, Taylor Eaton, Kayla Holliday, “Leo the Lion” Sayer Smith, Candace Pembleton and Meghan McAfee. Front row, A.J. Clabon and Micayla Hendricks.

— Junior and senior high cheer squads attended a cheerleading camp at the University of Arkansas put on by Universal Cheerleading Association.

The teams spent the week learning new sideline chants, cheers, dances, stunts and, most importantly, team building among the squads. There were daily evaluations and competitions in which the squads participated, earning blue ribbons on chant, cheer and dance.

The last day was final evaluation day andcamp champs (top camp awards). The squads were able to show their abilities one last time and compete for top awards for camp.

The Junior High program came away with first place in Home Pom (a dance they brought to the camp and performed the first day), second place in Cheer, and first place in Extreme Routine, as well as getting a mostimproved trophy.

The senior high squad received a superior trophy for receiving blue ribbons all week on their performances, and “Leo the Lion” walked away with Mascot CampChamp. Four girls made All-American from the junior high, allowing them the opportunity to attend the Houston Thanksgiving Day Parade.

At the high school level, four cheerleaders made All-American and three of them will have the opportunity to cheer at the London New Year’s Day parade. Leo the Lion will get the opportunity to perform at the Capitol One Bowl in Florida.

Overall, it was a great week for both squads, with the entire Gravette cheer program receiving the Banana (top spirit) award.

Sports, Pages 11 on 07/27/2011