Cove Junior High cheerleaders make competition walk the plank

By WENDY SLEDD

Special to Leader-Press

COLLEGE STATION —Donning eye patches and pirates’ bandanas, Copperas Cove Junior High cheerleaders were not throwing life preservers to their competitors at camp. In fact, they were making them walk the plank as the young cheer squad battened down the hatches and set sail to bring home a multitude of awards.

In addition to learning cheers, chants, and dances, the pre-teens learned what it means to be a cheerleader and the value of teamwork. They also learned there was a time to play and a time to work, CCJHS Cheer Coach Jennifer Wills said.

“I’m so proud of the squad. They came into a new experience willing to learn. It was rough starting off, but they worked hard and practiced when they could,” she said. “They were exhausted by Thursday, but they left everything on the mat during competition. They did their best, and that is all I can ask for.”

One of the most interesting surprises was when the team got to dress Wills like a pirate at a pirate-themed pep rally. They created a spirit flag, and Wills had to walk down the “runway” in what they had chosen for her to model. 

Five of 11 cheerleaders tried out for the All-American team with the opportunity to participate in the Houston parade. Cheer squad captain Alieyah Pauly and Caleb Henderson were honored with All-American selections. The team competed on the final day in “game day” competition and Xtreme Routine competition. The squad received “Most Improved Squad” for the entire camp which included junior high, junior varsity and varsity squads. The CCJHS cheerleaders also received third place in the Xtreme Routine competition.

“The UCA camp was a really great experience due to it being our first time in eight years to go to an overnight camp,” Pauly said. “At College Station, the team got to bond and get a lot closer. I think that, as a captain, it helped us with our leadership skills especially in captain’s class.” 

CCJHS Sparkles mascot, Maddie Miller, also improved skills during the mascot camp.

"Camp was an amazing experience. Even as a mascot and going to a separate camp while the cheerleaders prepared cheers and practiced stunts, I learned amazing things that will help me be the mascot this year,” Miller said. “I was able to learn how to interact with the cheerleaders and the crowd from personal instructors that I became very close with.“