With a gym full of nervous girls Eunie McEntee, cheerleading coach, evaluated the returning and the prospective cheerleaders as they practiced for the tryouts. Every year in mid April, tryouts for cheerleading are held in the campus gym.

This year’s cheerleading theme is “It’s going to Bee a great year.” Every year McEntee chooses a theme based on an insect that will later be incorporated into daily workouts and group activities.

“I am looking forward to this year,” McEntee said. “Not only is varsity going to be great, but I am excited to see the junior varsity work hard together to form a strong squad that will someday be an excellent varsity squad.”

The cheerleading tryouts began with Katie Mendenhall and Stephanie Patterson, assistant coaches, and the senior cheerleaders teaching the girls the tryout routine, how to jump and how to keep their movements sharp.

“It was neat to be able to teach the girls the try out cheer,” Lauren Taylor, ’03, captain, said. “Ever since I was a freshmen I knew that I wanted to be the teacher and not the learner. It was fun to see all the girls watch me as I was teaching them the cheer.”

Practices started with the new varsity and junior varsity squads learning stunts, cheers, and dances. The squads practice everyday getting ready for cheerleading camp in early August.

“It feels good to be in cheer,” Krystle Lawrence, ’06, said. “I think the camp will make us closer as a team, while teaching us new routines and stunts. I’m really excited and can’t wait.”

The campus cheerleaders will be attending Christian Cheerleaders of America camp on Aug. 6-8. For more information about cheerleading, parents and students can contact McEntee at 297-9464, ext. 132.