Lamar cheerleaders, dancers earn titles

By Staff
October 26, 2003
FIRST PLACE TEAMS Lamar's varsity and junior high cheerleading and dance teams placed first at the recent Mississippi Private School Association 3rd Annual 2003 Cheerleader and Dance Team Competition held Oct. 18 at Jackson Preparatory School.
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By Penny Randall / staff writer
When Lamar's cheerleading and dance teams boarded a bus and headed for the 3rd Annual Mississippi Private School Association 2003 Competition they had only one thing on their mind winning.
And that's just what the girls did.
Fifty-four girls making up Lamar's varsity and junior high dance and cheerleading teams all earned first places in their respective competitions at Jackson Preparatory School on Oct. 18.
Lamar's varsity dance team performed a 21⁄2 minute routine to a medley of upbeat music and competed against two other private school teams.
Amanda Jones, a senior and member of the varsity dance team, said the team worked hard this year to win the competition, including having 6 a.m. practice sessions before school.
Lamar's varsity dance team will perform at halftime of the Nokia Sugar Bowl in New Orleans in January.
This was the dance team's second year to compete, but the first for the varsity cheerleaders.
Semmes Ford, an 11th grader and member of the varsity cheerleading squad, said the team came together for one reason: "We wanted to prove to our school that we could win."
Lamar's junior high dance and cheerleading teams also earned first place. The junior high cheerleaders competed against six other teams to earn the title. This was the junior high cheerleaders' second consecutive first place win.
Lamar's junior high cheerleaders are also heading to a regional National Cheerleading Association competition at Madison/Ridgeland Academy in Jackson on Nov. 1 where they hope to continue their winning streak.