July 25, 2012 Edition

Also in this issue...

Both the Walnut Ridge Senior Varsity and Junior High Cheerleaders attended camp earlier this summer at Southeastern Missouri University in Cape Girardeau. They are (front, from left): Morgan Smith, Emily Allison, Anna Wilcoxson, Malia Friend - junior high captain, Kelly Lee, Cirstin Lee, Carlie Phillips; (middle row) Baylee Bridges, Ashley Dimitriou, Alison Garner, Mary Rogers - senior high captain, Adyssia Burton, Makayla Daniels, Haley Osburn, Jayden Moody; (back) Danielle Mullen, Jessica Mendoza, Brittney Pinkston, Angel Burton, Tiye Flowers, Tristan Simpson - senior high co-captain, Shelby Fields, Erica Highfield and Olivia Cox.
Submitted Photos ~ Lori Highfield

WR cheer squads win top honors

Both the Walnut Ridge Senior Varsity and Junior High Cheerleaders were among the 26 squads who attended camp on the campus of Southeastern Missouri University at Cape Girardeau, Mo. Camp was held at the Show Me Center from June 11-14. Both teams brought home several top honors.

The "Most Spirited Squad" is the top award given at camp and is voted on by all the cheer squads and the entire National Cheer Association staff. Walnut Ridge's senior and junior high squads together were chosen for this prestigious award and received a certificate, a National Cheerleaders Association megaphone and a cooler donated by Gatorade. They also received the "Herkie Award," which is presented to the team that worked and performed well together.

The Junior High squad received a first place trophy by winning the "Game Day Performance" category. Both squads won blue ribbons for their evaluation performances.

Senior Varsity Captain Mary Rogers was chosen "Best Overall Captain" out of all of the team captains at camp, and she received recognition and a medallion. In addition, Walnut Ridge was two of only five squads who received the coveted Spirit Stick every day at camp.

Tiye Flowers, Haley Osburn and Mary Rogers were chosen as three of the "Most Spirited" cheerleaders at camp, and each received recognition and spirit pins.

Those cheerleaders who were nominated for the All-American Squad by excelling in either jumps, leadership or overall determination on the Senior Varsity are: Mary Rogers, Tristan Simpson, Erica Highfield, Adyssia Burton, Angel Burton and Haley Osburn. Those who were nominated from the Junior High Squad include: Malia Friend, Cirstin Lee, Morgan Smith, Kelly Lee, Emily Allison, Carlie Phillips and Anna Wilcoxson.

The cheerleaders learned many new chants, cheers and creative stunting techniques and are looking forward to the school year to showcase their new skills while cheering on their teams as well as their school.

Coaches Mary Smith, Tracy Hallman and Natalie Smith accompanied the girls to camp. They stated, "We could not be more proud of what the girls accomplished at camp this year. We have a group of dedicated and very spirited girls who have shown everyone what cheerleading is all about. They have exceeded our expectations and have represented our school well!"

The coaches attended daily trainings pertaining to safety and injuries, dehydration and overheating, new exercise techniques and also received their NCA coaching credentials.

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