The Neelyville High School cheerleaders had the opportunity to perform in front of a different type of crowd last month, a packed stadium of college football fans in Jonesboro, Arkansas.
After attending their summer cheer camp with UCA, Coach Brandi Lumby said the girls were invited to join several other squads and perform at Arkansas State University's football homecoming game on Nov. 3.
"Our school doesn't have football, so I wanted them to see the kind of team spirit that football brings to a school," Lumby said. "Then we can apply that spirit to our basketball season."
Representing the only squad from Missouri, the NHS cheerleaders joined other Arkansas squads for a NCA camp to learn a dance routine for the homecoming half-time performance.
The camp was held in the morning followed by the football game.
"It was very fast paced," Lumby said. "They were sent the dance a few days prior and then when we attended the camp, they made changes and added ripples with the other cheerleaders."
In what could have been an intimidating atmosphere, Lumby said her girls "rocked it."
"I'm so proud of how they did and responded to the large crowd," she said. "It was a pretty full house and the campus was packed and full of excitement."
Through the whirlwind day, Lumby said the event was a great team bonding experience that allowed the squad to work through the process together.
As a coach, Lumby is hoping some will continue to cheer in college as did Neelyville's own Hana-Kate Cassinger, who is a cheerleader and freshman at ASU.
While the squad didn't have much of an opportunity to visit with Cassinger, Lumby said they were able to watch her cheer during the game.
"That was a great thing for the team to see and hopefully inspired some of them to cheer in college too," she said.