The Kirk Academy Junior Varsity Cheerleaders hosted a Universal Cheerleaders Association three-day camp at the school gymnasium on June 22. Seventeen girls took part in the camp getting work in to make them better cheerleaders in preparation for the upcoming football season.
“The purpose of the camp is to teach the athletes the elements of cheer, to broaden their knowledge and help them to use new skills,” Kirk Academy Cheer Coach Ashleigh Rose said. “Those skills include cheering, chants, refining motions, jumps, stunts and even tumbling skills. Safety lessons are also worked on during the week.”
Rose enjoyed her favorite part of the camp - bonding.
“I love the part of camp when the girls are to bond, not only with teammates, but with me and the UCA staff leaders,” the first-year coach said. “It’s been a good camp for our girls and they learned a lot to take on the field and we are excited to see them perform this season.”
The junior varsity cheerleaders elected to host their own private camp this season. Two staff members of UCA conducted the camp. They were led by Patsy Heard of Eupora High School and Alyssa Payne of Magee High School.
Preseason work began for the cheerleaders throughout the spring following tryouts.
“There has been none stopping and not a dull moment for us,” Rose said. “We have a really good group of girls, along with parents and our sponsor this year, who will be Crissy Harrison. The booster club has adopted cheer and recognized cheer as a major sport.”
Awards
Following the conclusion, awards were handed out for camp performance and others were named All-American Cheerleaders.
Those cheerleaders named All-American included Madi Yeager, Abbie Mattox, Charley Rose, Cecile Brister, Ava Kirk, Lylah Kate Burnett, Molly McKibben, Anna Lyon Gatlin, Mary Elise James and Charlee Sultan.
Gatlin was the Jump Off winner from camp. Mary Morgan Welch won the Most Improved Award and Kirk was named winner of the Dancing Diva Award. Rose won the Leadership Award and Burnett was named the Loudest. Kirk and Mattox won the Bomb Base Award and Gatlin received the Top Girl Award. Yeagar received the Most Spirited Award.
Also, the cheerleaders were visited by a group of former cheerleaders. On the opening day, 2020 graduates Campbell Thomas, Elizabeth McElwrath and Macie Hames visited the cheerleaders.
The second day guests were 2019 graduates Abbye Bell and Mackenzie Bailey.
The group will perform at 6:30 p.m. during the annual Meet the Raiders night slated for Aug. 4. The annual football jamboree will take place Aug. 11 at Lee Academy in Clarksdale. Kirk opens the 2022 season on Aug. 19, hosting Pillow Academy of Greenwood at Raider Field.
