News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Jackson County Cheer team hosted a three-day junior cheer clinic for kids K-5 this week to help raise money for the program.
With 28 kids participating, this marks the largest turnout in the clinics three-year history. Head coach Leslie Letterman said the clinic is a great way for her team to give back and connect with their community.
“Well from a coaches standpoint, like I enjoy having all my girls being involved with the younger girls,” Letterman said. “Not only am I a cheer coach, I also teach kindergarten. So I know, like, all these girls because they’ve come through my school at one point in time and they all love cheer and so that’s a, you know, plus.”
The camp concluded with both Jackson County cheerleaders and kid campers performing a joint cheer routine for the parents of the kids to see. The routine will be on full display at halftime of Jackson County’s September 27 game against Trousdale County.
“I can tell they are having fun,” Sophomore Cheerleader Daneisha Highland said. “A lot of them tell me they’re having fun. So today we were sitting in our little groups and I was asking everyone what their favorite parts were. And most of them all just said everything, and that they really like cheering.”
The clinic also proved to be a learning experience for the Jackson County cheerleaders who got to be the instructor and be teachers for the young participants.
“I’m going to have a better outlook on cheer,” Sophomore Cheerleader Carson Kinnaird said. “A lot of them have a lot more peppiness than I do and they’re much happier to be here than I am some days. And I just want their attitude when I cheer.”
Senior Karly Anderson said the clinic made her appreciate what she has in her life, because the girls participating in the clinic may be less fortunate. She said being a role model to the girls is very important to her.
