Cheerleaders thrive at FCCJC competition

The Louisburg second grade cheerleading squad brought home a first and third place trophy on Nov. 22 following the FCCJC Cheer and Dance Competition at Shawnee Mission West. Members of the team are (front row, from left) Reese Anderson, Jessica Felder, McKinley Harmon, Kimmie Powls; (back row) Shyloh Waite, Kaylee Crooks, Joslyn Burke, Madeline Hughes and Ally Bell.

During the fall football season, a group of second- and fourth-grade Louisburg cheerleaders spent their weekends cheering on Louisburg football teams playing for the Football and Cheerleading Club of Johnson County (FCCJC).

Recently, those same cheerleaders had a chance to move from the sidelines and into the spotlight.

On Nov. 22, the two cheerleading groups made their way to Shawnee Mission West High School for the FCCJC Cheer and Dance Competition and both teams came home with a lot of hardware to show for their efforts.

The second-grade group finished first overall in the cheer competition out of nine teams and came in third in the dance portion of the contest.

Cheering for the Louisburg second-grade team were Reese Anderson, Jessica Felder, McKinley Harmon, Kimmie Powls, Shyloh Waite, Kaylee Crooks, Joslyn Burke, Madeline Hughes and Ally Bell.  Mindy Bell served as team’s head coach as was assisted by Gracie Waite and Becky Harmon.

“I really couldn’t have been prouder of these girls,” coach Bell said. “They have all worked really hard and I was very happy for them when they got first. For all but one of the girls, this was their first year in cheerleading so they really accomplished a lot and had a great year.”

Members of the Louisburg fourth-grade cheerleading team are (front row, from left) Ashley Bell, Jenna Cauthon, Riley Haas, Taylor Curry, Darci Stone, Brooklyn Harmon, Maggie Madison; (middle row) Madison O’Keefe, Sienna Blancarte, Brinley White, Rylee Hickey, Ali Marie Dubinick; (back row) Anna Poe, Isabel Bond, Isabella Moreland, Ashleigh Moore, Sophie Katzer and Bronwynn Williams.

The fourth-grade team also fared very well. Louisburg finished third in both the cheer and dance competitions out of eight teams.

Cheering for the fourth-grade team were Ashley Bell, Jenna Cauthon, Riley Haas, Taylor Curry, Darci Stone, Brooklyn Harmon, Maggie Madison, Madison O’Keefe, Sienna Blancarte, Brinley White, Rylee Hickey, Ali Marie Dubinick, Anna Poe, Isabel Bond, Isabella Moreland, Ashleigh Moore, Sophie Katzer and Bronwynn Williams. The team was coached by Jackie Bond and was assisted by Nicole Brunner and Becki Madison.

“They performed their hearts out and did the best performance we have seen them do,” coach Bond said. “Coach Becki, Nicole and I are so proud of them.”