As athletic teams have become more prevalent for Joplin-area home-schooled students, so has the demand for cheerleaders. The Joplin Christian Cheer Squad is helping meet that demand.
A select group of cheerleaders with the squad on Feb. 20 will take their efforts a step beyond normal activities of cheering for their high school team, the Cornerstone Spartans. A junior high and high school team of four girls and one boy will participate in the Christian Cheerleaders of America Regional, which combines a mini-camp in the morning with competition in the afternoon.
The event, The Derby Classic, is being held in Louisville, Ky., where it derives its name from (what else?) the Kentucky Derby.
Representing the Joplin squad, coached by Mary Walton, are Dalton Consier, of Carl Junction; sisters Rachel and Kelsey Walton, of Carthage; Bailey Seely, of Webb City; and Tory Powell, of Joplin.
Out of necessity, a requirement for going to the regional is raising funds to get there. The squad on Feb. 8 will serve customers at the Pizza Inn on Range Line Road, which is allowing them to keep the tips. The youngsters will be there in their cheerleading uniforms from 4:30 to 8 p.m.
The CCA regional is a team event only and presents the opportunity to qualify for national competition. Elementary through college-age squads are welcome, with the emphasis on a non-intimidating Christian atmosphere.
A variety of talent and teams ranging from (but not limited to) recreational leagues to home-schooled and church squads will be assembled, whether novice or advanced.
Deb Seely, JCCS administrator, said the Joplin squad going to the regional is not the same team that cheers on an ongoing basis for the Cornerstone Spartans.
“We have this competitive team, which is very different,” she said. “During football season we had 10 girls and one boy cheering. This is sideline cheering with the ‘go team, go; get the ball’ type thing. Competitive cheering involves a lot more stunts with lots of acrobatics involved.”
Whether cheering for the Spartans or cheering competitively, Seely stressed that JCCS leaves the door open for anyone who wants to cheer. However, she added that there is a requirement that anyone on the competitive squad must be home-schooled.
Joplin Christian Cheer Squad was organized with the idea of emphasizing Christian values. While there is a dress code, it is not unreasonable.
“Our uniforms are modest but, at the same time, not looking like they are from the 1950s,” Seely said. “The main reason for starting Joplin Christian Cheer is that all of us are Christians and we really wanted people to know that you can be a Christian and still be a cheerleader, overcoming other notions about cheerleading. We are uplifting in our cheers and, yes, we have devotions and prayers.”
More information may be obtained or donations arranged for the regional trip by calling Seely at 673-1609 or going to the JCCS Web site, www.joplincheer.com.
Address correspondence to Rich Brown, c/o The Joplin Globe, P.O. Box 7, Joplin, MO 64802, or rbrown@joplinglobe.com.
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