Cheer squad ramps up spirit in Red Bay

By Brandi Miller

For the FCT

Fourteen eager and excited cheerleaders will be on the sidelines this football season leading cheers for Red Bay Tiger fans, and these girls spent a lot of time over the summer preparing for the season.

“The girls are going to be more involved in the community and school system than ever before,” said RBHS cheer coach Emily Hester.  “We want to make an impact on those that look up to the cheerleaders and show them how to have good character and how to represent Red Bay, while having fun all at the same time. I am wanting the girls to grow in their cheer abilities but also as a squad.”

The RBHS varsity cheerleaders attended camp at The Beach Club in Gulf Shores May 27-31. While at camp the girls learned a new half-time routine, which Hester said will be featured at the pep rally. She said they also learned new stunts and cheers and a couple of band dances.  

In addition to learning new material, the cheerleaders also earned awards. “We won several Superior ribbons for each competitive piece and won third in the large varsity division, which was tougher for us this year because we went up against squads that had 30-plus girls,” said Hester. “Our girls persevered and really pulled it together on the last day of camp and did their best.  

“I am very proud of their hard work and dedication.”

Along with the numerous awards won by the squad as a whole, senior Bailey Bolton and junior Alexis Tabbs were named to the All-American Cheerleader Squad and will have the opportunity to cheer in the New Year’s Day Parade in France.

The 2019-2020 varsity cheerleaders are seniors Bailey Bolton and Reagan Humphries, who are both captains; junior Alexis Tabbs, who is co-captain, and fellow juniors Kaitlyn Bullard, Madisyn Hester, Makenzie Hester and Kayleigh Scott; sophomores Makenna Ables, Anna Kate Kennedy, Chloe Knoblock and Destinee Lancaster; and freshmen Talli Hamilton, Alivia Harris and Sierra Terrell.