From staff reports
HERSHEY – One Pennsylvania cheerleading team is annually selected to receive the PIAA Team Spirit award. Any coach, athletic director or administrator in Pa. can nominate their cheerleaders. When selecting the winner, the PIAA considers a team’s academic achievement, school spirit raising activities, community involvement and fundraising activities.
This year, District IX’s Keystone High School varsity cheerleaders received this honor at a ceremony prior to the final round of the PIAA Spirit competition on Jan. 30. The Panthers were nominated by their athletic director, Bill Irwin.
Nominations were accepted until Jan. 8, and the Keystone cheerleaders’ accolades in each category were shared at the ceremony.
This year’s team consists of seniors Olivia Bearfield, Maggie Brown, Lexi Callander, Mackenzie Caun, Rebekah Elder, Lindsey Mays and Emily Shawley; juniors Allie Bearfield, Maddi Beichner, Emily Byers, Gwen Greenawalt, Maddy Harle, Bri Hilbert, Taylor Hoffman, Abby Kersey, Rachel Keth, Casey Mullooly and Jenna Zacherl; sophomores Katie Brown, Macy Defelice, Jadyn Forsythe and Becca Smith and freshmen Bailey Harle, Alesha Lee and Kami Smith.
Coaches are Kami Coursen who has been coaching for 22 years and Sarah Kahle.?
The Keystone varsity cheerleaders were undefeated in regular season and the Large Varsity District IX Champs. They also represented Keystone for the fourth consecutive year at the state competition.?
Academically 22 of the 25 member team have earned either principals or honor roll honors in the first quarter this year. Six members are in the top ten of their class, while 11 members are in the top 20 of their class.
At this point, six seniors will graduate with a grade point average between 93.8 and 99.3 percent, 21 members have a cumulative GPA between 90.2 and 100.6 percent. Five members are in the National Honor Society and two are officers.
Seven members earned top student in their academic classes at the awards assembly, two are Rotary Youth Leadership Award recipients, three seniors were named Knox Lions Club Student of the Month,and seven have been named Clarion County Student of the Week.
Three are members of the Clarion County Youth Council for their leadership in the classroom.
Volunteer work includes volunteering for Special Olympics Track and Field Day, performing at the opening ceremonies and also volunteer as athlete buddies (school-age and adult), awards, running events, and coordinating athletes. They also help with various fundraisers for Charitable Deeds and Services of Knox, and volunteer and participate in “Horsethief Days” in various events through the week and perform in the festival’s parade.
Their fundraising events include hosting their own competition in January. This year was their 16th annual and brought over 17 schools and five all-star programs totaling over 300 cheerleaders to Knox. They also host two or three elementary cheer camps throughout the year.One is a three-day camp in the summer and the other two are after school.
Finally, the PIAA recognized their most successful “spirit” raising activities. At Keystone, the cheerleaders have the role of planning and providing every aspect of the homecoming. Over several months they plan, purchase, paint, construct and design everything that they need for the homecoming dance.
They spend hours in transforming the gymnasium, and at the dance they provide flowers for court, crowns for royalty, snacks and drinks, photographer and disc jockey.
In addition, they plan and facilitate homecoming spirit week and recognition for spirit day participation, and also organize the homecoming parade and bonfire for the community.