High school student-athletes are a group of people that get a lot of recognition for the task they perform on the playing field. However, a group of people that don’t receive the same amount of accolades are the cheerleaders that cheer the athletes on from the sidelines.

A lot of work goes into preparing for the cheer season just like with any other athletic program. One group of individuals who knows exactly how much work is the South Decatur cheer squad.

The cheerleaders’ season started in April with try-outs. Practices were held in preparation for Universal Cheerleading Association camp in July at Ball State University. Throughout the four-day camp, the girls learned new cheers and dances, team unity and safety.

On the last day, the girls competed in cheer and dance and came home with many trophies. They won first in Camp Champs Cheer, first in Home Pom Routine and a Superior Squad Award.

The girls also brought home “the banana” which is given to the most spirited squad.

The most important award presented to the squad was the Leadership Award. This award is voted on by camp staff and the other squads.

Individual honors were given to seniors Kelli Gault and Courtney Smallwood, as they were selected as UCA All-Stars.

The girls are responsible for raising money for their own uniforms and supplies. They held car washes at the Greensburg Wal-Mart during the summer and sold ButterBraids. They also received help with spirit supplies, such as paint, paper, and candy from the South Decatur Adult Booster Club.

During the school year, the girls work to promote school spirit through pep sessions, hall decorating, spirit days, and cheering at games. During football, the cheerleaders cheer at junior varsity and varsity games. Throughout the football season, the girls decorated the players’ lockers and locker rooms and gave away game day treats for the entire team. The girls also presented the senior football players with scrapbooks at the end of the season.

Currently, the cheerleaders are hard at work cheering at JV and varsity boys basketball games and home varsity girls basketball games. They spend around six hours a week perfecting their stunts and cheers to perform during timeouts and quarters.

The squad is led by six hard-working seniors: Kelli Gault, Courtney Smallwood, Courtney Collins, Erin Bewley, Nicole Cunningham and Hannah Watts.

Other members of the squad include Brittany Thompson, Elizabeth Wamsley, Erica Bewley, Samantha Riddle, Samantha Branum, Abby Barkdull, Cheyenne Scranton, Kristen Gilley, Kylie Cornett and Makenzie Diekhoff. The stunt bases for the squad are Nick Anderson, Jordan Johnson, Jordan Clark and Zach Gault.