The Jonesboro-Hodge Elementary School (J-HES) inaugural cheer squad participated in the UCA Cheer Camp at Louisiana Tech from June 19-22. The overnight camp hosted many squads across the state, but J-HES was the youngest! The camp focused on crowd leading, skill fundamentals, and team bonding with exclusive, UCA material and dances. 

First earns a Second! Not only did the first J-HES cheer squad participate, they came home with several awards, including earning second place for Sideline Cheer in the Junior High Division. The team also won the coveted “Spirit Stick” for all three consecutive nights.

In addition the team came home with the following awards:

Day One: Red Ribbon (Excellent) for Sideline Evaluation
Day One: Red Ribbon (Excellent) for Cheer Evaluation
Day Two: Blue Ribbon (Superior) for Camp Routine Evaluations
Day Three: Most Improved 2023 Camp Champion Trophy

J-HES Cheer Team Captain, Jalonah Amos, received individual recognition as well winning the Pin It Forward and Captain/Leadership Awards. By virtue she was invited to the National Championships at Disney World later this year. 

Members of the award winning squad are:

Sailor Wells, Incoming 4th Grader
Kristacia Howard, Incoming 5th Grader
Savannah Murphy, Incoming 4th Grader
Jalonah Amos, Incoming 5th Grader, Captain
Samiya Stallings, Incoming 4th Grader, Co-Captain
Destany Amox, Incoming 5th Grader
Phaelin Andrews, Incoming 4th Grader

The squad is under the direction of Ms. Lauren Bennett, who looks forward to the girls serving as school ambassadors and showing off their skills at this coming year’s pep rallies and elementary basketball games.