September 27, 2017

The Neelyville High School cheerleaders have plenty to cheer about this upcoming season. Coming off a performance in Columbia, Mo., at the state basketball tournament this past March and a successful summer camp, the group is looking toward more opportunities with the growth of the squad...

The Neelyville High School cheerleaders have plenty to cheer about this upcoming season.

Coming off a performance in Columbia, Mo., at the state basketball tournament this past March and a successful summer camp, the group is looking toward more opportunities with the growth of the squad.

"With 12 girls on the squad now, we have enough to incorporate pyramids into our routines," Neelyville High School cheerleading coach Brandi Lumby said. "I am really excited about this year."

Lumby, who is beginning her third year as cheerleading coach at Neelyville, said the squad's goal is to return to Columbia this year as the halftime entertainment.

The squad won the opportunity to perform during halftime of the state tournament last year after submitting a recorded dance routine with stunts incorporated to MSHAA's YouTube channel.

The squad will officially begin practices the end of October and will begin preparing a new routine for the opportunity to return to Columbia.

"We received a lot of compliments and everyone was really happy with us at Columbia," Lumby said.

She also added the girl's basketball team is looking to have a promising season.

"We are hoping and fingers crossed the ladies basketball team will be there (Columbia) with us," Lumby said.

The Neelyville cheerleaders accomplished a lot this past summer during camp at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, Ark., Lumby added.

"The girls grew a lot at camp this year," she said.

Junior Ashley May Odom was named "All American" through the UCA coordinated camp.

Senior captain Hana-Kate Cassinger was awarded with "Best Jumps" and also named "All American."

Cassinger has been invited to become a UCA staff member once she graduates and added she has begun the application process as well as attended events with the cheer team at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Ark., where she is hoping to be accepted.

While it will not happen during her last year at NHS, Cassinger said a goal she would love to see is Neelyville participate in competition cheering and compete at the state level.

With big goals and growth of the squad also comes the need for fundraisers to pay for camps and the trip to Columbia.

A Princess Tea Party is scheduled for Saturday at Neelyville High School.

During sessions scheduled to take place throughout the day, girls will have their hair and makeup done while having tea with princesses.

A spot can be secured by calling the high school office at 573-989-3815.

The cheerleaders also will be selling spirit items at Tiger Fest on Saturday, Oct. 21, in the courtyard across from the high school.

A new event at Tiger Fest will include the Zebu Drop. People can purchase squares on a giant board and when the zebu "drops" on a person's square, they will win 10 percent of the pot.

Maroon and White Night will be held Thursday, Nov. 16, at the high school. The popular elementary school cheer camp will also take place during the game.

"We already have parents calling and asking if they can sign their kid up for cheer camp," Lumby said.

Elementary students from Hillview and Neelyville are invited to attend a camp with the high school cheerleaders to learn a cheer and dance routine to be performed at the basketball game, which begins at 6 p.m.

"This is probably the most excited I've been in three years," Lumby said. "Even non-cheerleading people will be able to see how much we have changed and how hard the girls have worked."

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