SHS Varsity Cheerleaders are Full of Community Spirit

The varsity cheerleaders held their annual Youth Girls Cheerleading Camp last week at the school. In all, 50 area girls, ages 4-13, received three days of instruction from 20 dynamic members of the varsity football and basketball squads who volunteered their time and shared their expertise.

The campers were divided into age groups and then taught five chants, a dance and a cheer which they performed for family and friends on the final day.

“Everybody yell Green!”  “Green!”

“Everybody yell White!”  “White!”

“Everybody yell Green and White, Green and White let's fight!”

Many of the girls who attended the camp cheer for the Strongsville Football League. And Kelly Stoyanoff Thompson, the varsity cheerleading coach for both football and basketball who oversaw the camp, said the skills they obtain at the camp better prepare them for any future tryouts. 

“They get the best of the best (here)," she said.

Thompson said, “seeing the varsity girls interact with the younger girls is the most rewarding part.” It's no wonder; Thompson's got roots at SHS as she’s a 2004 graduate and a former SHS cheerleader who taught at the camp, too.  She now teaches fifth grade at .

For Kassidy Smith, what goes around, comes around. The senior varsity basketball cheerleader said, “(I) did the camp when I was little so it’s neat to teach now and see the kids getting into it. I hope they try out when they come to the high school.” 

Another senior varsity basketball cheerleader, Erin Nestor, feels “since the elementary and middle schools don’t have cheerleading, (the camp) is a nice way to see if the girls are interested. It’s fun that this experience might be the reason a girl tries out in high school.”

There’s yet another reason these squads get some extra credit.  They recently held a car wash with proceeds benefiting both the Make-a-Wish foundation and the Strongsville Boosters. Rah rah!

Strongsville residents can enjoy the jumps, flips, chants and cheers of the varsity football cheerleaders at the first home football game at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 26 when the Mustangs take on at Pat Catan Stadium.

Strongsville City Schools and Sts. Joseph and John administration, faculty, club advisors and student officers are encouraged to submit information for the “Extra Credit” series including upcoming events, photos, etc. by emailing Sharon Galvan. Let us know what’s going on!