Green High School varsity cheerleaders recently won first runner-up honors at the Americheer regional competition.

Thursday, February 10, 2000

Green High School varsity cheerleaders recently won first runner-up honors at the Americheer regional competition.

And what will they do next?

Disney World, of course.

The National Cheerleading Championships, in Orlando, Fla., is the next step for the 14-member cheerleading squad.

"It’s going to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience," said team co-captain Holly Niemer, 17, a senior. "We’re in conditioning right now and we’re practicing –  basically doing whatever we have to do to bring home a national title to Green High School for the first time."

The team members include Mandy Harper, Holly Niemer, Courtney Moore, Serena Akin, Sarah Bloomfield, Jessica Bruce, Kristlyn Harlock, Samantha Jenkins, Hilary Keller, Spring Lollis, Natalie Lopez, Erin McDavid, Heidi McDavid, Jessica Mollett and Amy Pemberton.

They have worked long, hard hours and spent most of their free time bringing their routine to perfection, adviser Leah Blankenship said.

"This is my first year coaching, and I was a little hesitant at first," Ms. Blankenship said. "But once I got started, I found out what a great, talented group of girls this is and that’s made all the difference."

Bringing home second-place honors from the regional competition last month gave the group an instant bid to compete in the national competition, where they will battle cheerleading squads from across the country.

Before they can take centerstage in the title round, however, there’s work to do, said Green Cheerleading Boosters president Jean Bruce.

"We are just so proud of these girls – they have worked very hard for this opportunity," Mrs. Bruce said, adding that the team members and boosters must raise more than $6,000 just for hotel accommodations and entry fees for the competition. "We’re a small school and they wanted the money in by the end of January, but they have given us an extension because we have to raise all the money ourselves."

Thus far, the girls and boosters have raised the money by sponsoring a cheerleading clinic for children in kindergarten through sixth grade and by having bake sales and seeking donations from corporate and business sponsors, Mrs. Bruce said.

But, there is still much work to be done, both on the competition routine and fundraising.

If the squad makes it to nationals, the members’ hard work, heart and soul will go into their performance, team co-captain Mandy Harper said.

Miss Harper, a 10-year cheerleading veteran, said she and the other girls are working hard to represent Green High School – and surrounding areas – in the best way possible.

"The thought never crossed my mind when I first started cheerleading (at age 7) that I would be going to compete in a national competition," Miss Harper said. "We have quite a few talented tumblers, good motions and strong voices. We’re working hard at perfecting our routine in practices and we’re also in conditioning. We all just want to do the best we can do."

But getting there is half the battle, Ms. Bruce said.

"These girls have worked so hard," she said. "We’re going to keep working hard, too, and hopefully we’ll be able to send them on their way to a national title."

To become a sponsor for the Green varsity cheerleaders, make checks payable to Green Cheer Boosters, 1878 Disterdick Lane, Ironton, Ohio, 45638.