By Bryant Thigpen
Riverbend News
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) held their summer cheerleading camp at Lafayette High School (LHS) in Mayo. The camp was held from July 20-22, and was held on school campus this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“This year was so different. Usually, we travel to Valdosta to do cheer camp at VSU through FCA, but this year, due to covid, we were forced to alter those plans,” said Sonya Koon, head coach for the varsity cheerleading squad. “We opted instead for a home camp through FCA. They sent instructors to us and we held our camp at LHS. We learned new cheers, chants, and dances to perform at football games and pep rallies for the upcoming year.”
Camp for the cheerleaders began each day at 8 a.m. with breakfast, followed by “quiet time” at 9 a.m., where each participant spent some time reading their Bible and praying. It was then time for the squads to start working on learning new material. Following an hour break for lunch, the participants went back to work with more practice until 4 p.m.
“After camp was over, each squad was hosted at the various homes for some squad bonding and positive messages from Amelia Hill, Alissa Hingson, Ciana Hill and Darby Pearson Smith,” Koon said. “Special thanks to these ladies for their willingness to share their faith with the squads.”
The varsity squad was coached by Sonya Koon and Ruby McCray coached the junior varsity squad. The coaches were joined by FCA Christian College Huddle Leaders Caitlin Brock of Lee University in Cleveland, Tenn., and MacKenzie Pickle of Georgia College in Milledgeville, Ga. The coaches led the Hornets through the FCA cheer curriculum, as well as Bible studies and huddle time.
While all cheerleaders left the camp with a wealth of knowledge, some also left with camp awards. Selected to the FCA All-American 2020 squad were Avery Buchanan, Kaley Rosenbaum and Kristin Duckett. The three winners of this award allows them to attend the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl on January 1, 2021, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. They will get to participate in all of the activities associated with the game.
Cheerleaders that were also recognized during the camp are Lilli Moseley, who received the Varsity Spirit Award; Kristin Duckett, who was awarded the Junior Varsity Spirit Award; Gabby Sarmiento, who received the Varsity Heart of the Huddle Award; and Avery Buchanan, who was bestowed the Junior Varsity Heart of the Huddle Award.
LHS Cheer would like to thank the following for sponsoring meals and for opening their homes:
Lynne Buchanan, Amazing Graze, Sheriff Brian Lamb, Jack Howdeshell, Brenda Gayle Land, Chuck and Melissa Hewett, First Assembly of God, Airline Baptist Church, Jared and Kelli Moseley and Ralee and Pam Moseley. Special thanks to Jack Howdeshell for photographing the week for the camp.