SC Lee mascot selected for All-American team
By WENDY SLEDD
Special to Leader-Press
She has a hidden identity and most people do not know who is behind the toothy cougar named Claws that revs up the crowds at S. C. Lee Junior High sporting events. But, be assured the judges know the talent of Cali Jernigan who fills the mascot costume. Jernigan was nominated to try out for the National Cheerleading Association All-American Mascot team and was selected for the honor.
The selection took place at the NCA Mascot camp this past week where Jernigan learned how to come up with new material for skits and different community functions. Simultaneously at the NCA cheer camp, the S. C. Lee cheerleading squad learned many new cheers and chants along with four new dance routines. Seven of the 10 cheerleaders including Jayce Anderson, Marissa Barker, Livonna Wallace, Hailee Englehart, Nadia Cisneros, Chloe Herrera and Savanna Walker were nominated to try out for the NCA All-American team.
"It was a great learning experience, with lots of one-on-one attention from the NCA cheer staff,” said Anderson who is the cheer captain. “We learned a lot of cheers and chants that we will be using in the upcoming school year. I was really honored to be nominated for the NCA All-American Team."
The S.C. Lee Cheerleading squad came home with four awards including Special Event Invitation Award, National Championship Bid Award, Herkie Award given for leadership, values, teamwork, and sportsmanship and the Stunt S.A.F.E. Award which is given to the team that made great advancements in stunting and spotting.
"When first attending the National Cheerleading Association camp, I had no idea what to expect. But throughout the camp, I found myself having a wonderful time,” Cisneros said. “To my surprise, I was nominated to try-out for the NCA All-American Team by the NCA staff. The NCA did a wonderful job when it came to helping all the young cheerleaders in stunting, learning many new cheers and overall in giving us support."
Cheerleaders chosen for this S. C. Lee Junior High this year include Captain Jayce Anderson, Marissa Barker, Brooke Heintzman, Livonna Wallace, Jasmin Campbell, Savanna Walker, Chloe Herrera, Nadia Cisneros, Hailee Englehart, Charlotte Robinson, and Cali Jernigan is the mascot. The squad is coached by Shannon Thompson and Jodi Anderson.