More than 50 young cheerleaders got to learn alongside the Columbia High School cheer squad this week and concluded a four-day camp with performances in front of family and friends Thursday.
Cheer coach Sara Russell said the goal of the camp is to grow cheerleaders.
“We want to start them at a young age and teach them what cheerleading is all about,” she said. “Hopefully as they get older they’ll try out for cheerleading and become CHS cheerleaders. It also helps our big cheerleaders and helps them to be better.”
While teaching the young cheerleaders the fundamentals is a big part of it, Russell said fun is the real name of the game.
“We’re just excited that they have fun, and they’re excited about being cheerleaders,” she said.
Columbia Primary School first grader Marion Jordan, 7, said her favorite part was learning the fun cheers and that she also learned to be a good sport.
The youngsters mainly learned from the varsity cheerleaders, and it’s as rewarding for them as it is the children.
“I really love making connections with the little girls,” cheer captain Abby Morris said. “When I see them in Walmart, they always come up to me and say, ‘Hey, Miss Abby.’ I love little kids, and it warms my heart.”
Morris added they teach them how to share and have manners as well as how to cheer and have fun exercising.
Participants in the camp will also get to cheer during the first quarter of Columbia’s first home football game Aug. 23 against Mendenhall.
Pictured Above: Above, young cheer campers put on their final performance Thursday morning. Below, cheerleader Carley Davis lifts Landry McElroy for a stunt. | Photo by Joshua Campbell
