(Varsity and Junior Varsity Southland Academy cheerleaders pictured are (bottom) Emma Griffin, Mary Nell Rush, Georgia Torbert, Jordan Brehm, Betsy Scott Turner, Katie Berry, Karson Duke; (middle) Halley Kate Turner, Anslee Barnes, Carson Clements, Averi Smith, Addison Starlin, Sarah Bass, Lydia Anne Love; (top) Leslie Anne Farr, Maddy Copeland, Ellie Barnes, Hannah Philpot, Sarah Murphy, Sydney Copeland, Lauren Barthell, Mary Catherine Dean, Morgan Deriso, and Kara Hubbard.)

               The Southland Academy varsity and junior varsity cheerleading squads continued the tradition of capturing top awards at Universal Cheerleading Association (UCA) Summer Camp held at the University of Georgia in Athens recently. UCA is the oldest and largest cheerleading association in the world, and its goal is to inspire leadership on and off the field by providing high quality educational training for college, high school, and middle school cheerleaders.

               Southland varsity and junior varsity cheerleaders competed with 25 other cheer squads totaling over 300 girls from Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, and North Carolina. The girls participated in 3 days of learning new cheers, chants, dances, and stunts. Final competitions took place on the fourth day.

             The varsity squad secured a Superior Trophy for their overall performance at camp and placed third in Extreme Routine and third in Band Dance. The junior varsity squad received the top trophy for Most Improved Team and two third-place trophies for cheer and extreme routine. 

            Both squads received the highest honor at camp by winning the Leadership Award, which was voted on by all the squads attending camp. The second night of camp both squads received the highest spirit award of “The Banana.”           

            There were also individual awards through the week. Freshman Emma Griffin won the Best Jumper Award for the entire camp. Also participating in the Jump-Off were seniors Sydney Copeland and Lauren Barthell and freshman Sarah Murphy on the high school level. Eighth graders Sara Bass and Carson Clements and seventh graders Lydia Anne Love and Betsy Scott Turner participated on the middle school level. Southland had three girls named as All Americans: Senior Sydney Copeland and Eighth Graders Sara Bass and Addison Starlin. 

            In addition, senior Sydney Copeland was invited to be a camp staffer for next summer with UCA. Senior Lauren Barthell, junior Karson Duke, and eighth graders Jordan Brehm and Georgia Torbert received Pin-It Forward Awards for positive mental attitudes and leadership during the entire camp. 

            The Southland varsity squad members are seniors Lauren Barthell, Katie Berry, Sydney Copeland, and Mary Nell Rush; juniors Karson Duke and Hannah Philpot; sophomores Anslee Barnes, Mary Catherine Dean, Morgan Deriso, and Kara Hubbard; and freshmen Ellie Barnes, Maddy Copeland, Leslie Anne Farr, Emma Griffin, Sarah Murphy, and Halley Kate Turner, Mrs. Susan Welch is the long-time varsity cheerleading coach and advisor. Mrs. Welch also attended camp and participated in a coaches’ workshop for cheerleading.           

            The Southland junior varsity squad members are eighth graders Sara Bass, Jordan Brehm, Carson Clements, Addison Starlin, and Georgia Torbert; and seventh graders Lydia Anne Love, Averi Smith, and Betsy Scott Turner.   The squad is coached by Mrs. Susan Welch and assisted by Mrs. Shay Torbert, who also attended the 4-day camp and coaches’ workshop.