Just as in other sports, cheer goes through cycles of growth and rebuilding, and Achille native Whitley Ervin is in charge of that rebuilding process for the Eagles. “Our current principal was a teacher here when I cheered in high school and knew my background and asked me to take on the program. I’ve had the program for three years and it’s been hard to build interest in cheer. The first two years we only had three girls and last year we got that up to five. But then two of our most experienced members left the squad and it was a struggle. This year I’ve added some eighth graders and we have 10 girls on the squad”

Senior Kinslee Meade is the team captain who runs cross country, plays basketball, and is on a softball travel team. “I never really thought about getting into cheer, but a friend talked me into trying out my sophomore year and now I really love it.”

As the senior leader of the team, Kinslee has had to adapt to a new role in addition to being a base in the team’s stunts. “I guess I’m a pretty vocal leader and I like to give a lot of constructive criticism but working with all of the new newbies has really helped me become a more patient leader as well.”.

Madison Bledsoe is a sophomore co-captain who is a flyer in stunts and who really had to also step up as a leader last year after the squad lost members. “This year has been a bit of challenge in getting 10 girls to get along with one another but we’re getting there. I’ve always had an interest in being in cheer and so I tried out when I got the chance and it’s been fun for the most part.”

Lila Barnes is the freshman co-captain who plays softball and basketball in addition to being a back in cheer stunts. “Madison talked me into trying out this year and said you’ll never know if you like it until you try it and I’m glad I did. I’m fortunate to have coaches who really work with me to balance all of my other sports and cheer.”

Coach Whitley hopes to get the team into competitive cheer next year but is pleased with the rebuilding process so far. “We’ve overcome one obstacle in getting our numbers up in a small school like this and I feel like we’re moving in the right direction.”