Of the 411 high schools in Georgia, there are an estimated 2,000 senior cheerleaders in the state. Hundreds of these were nominated last summer by their coaches because of their exemplary cheerleading skills. Of those nominated, 40 athletes were selected by review of application and recommendations, to try-out spot on the prestigious Top 16 in the State. Whitewater High School’s cheerleading coaches Kelly Stanford and Kelly Garner nominated five young ladies who met a minimum requirement of a 3.85 GPA along with exceptional leadership and cheerleading skills. All five of the nominees completed the application process, made the top 40, and also made the Top 16. No other school in the program’s history has ever had such a strong representation.

Ultimately, the highest honor for a cheerleader in Georgia, to be named Georgia’s Cheerleader of the Year, is one of these top 16 All-State Team members. The program, originally established to recognize the efforts of outstanding cheerleaders has grown into a scholarship program for the top 3 cheerleaders in the state. It is an extensive process that involves being nominated, an application process which is the responsibility of the cheerleader and a live tryout and interview. An array of skills must be evident to be named to the All-State squad.

This program which spotlights the “Best of the Best” is sponsored by the Georgia Cheerleading Coaches Association, an organization which was recently named National State Organization by the Spirit Industry Trade Association. The top 16 in Georgia will be introduced and will receive awards and prizes at the Georgia High School Cheerleading State Championship held in Columbus, Georgia on November 8, 2008. During the second session of the State Championships, the Cheerleader of the Year will be announced, along with the runners-up. Whitewater High School has a 31% chance of being the Home of the 2008 Georgia Cheerleader of the Year. That is something to cheer about!

In related news, the Whitewater High School varsity competition team,which finished the year last year with a third- place finish at state competition, has been nominated for Georgia’s Team of the Year. They will complete among other nominees by way of completing a portfolio and video. The team consists of 20 athletes and is coached by Kelly Stanford and Barry and Kelli Garner.

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