MVHS Cheerleaders Mentor Youngsters In Jr. Camp

By MAGGIE MCMURRAY

Moapa Valley Progress

Future Pirate cheerleaders packed the gym at Moapa Valley High School last week for the annual MVHS junior cheer camp. The camp has been traditionally held in the summer, but with the start of school falling earlier this year and summer schedules being filled, the camp was held in the evenings after school this year.

MVHS Cheer coach Amber Leavitt was initially worried that the change in date and time would negatively affect the number of attendees. But she was happy to find the opposite was actually true.
“We thought that by holding it in the evenings it may make it easier for working parents to let their girls participate,” Leavitt siad. “We didn’t know how it would work out, but we are so thrilled because our numbers practically doubled. We have just shy of 100 girls participating this year.”

The camp was spread across three days with two-hour practices each day. The third day included a performance for parents and others during the last hour of camp.

The camp was divided into four age groups, with one having its own MVHS cheerleaders to act as coaches. Each group had to work hard and fast to learn a cheer, a chant, and a dance to perform on the last day.

The camp was pure fun with both the current cheerleaders and the future cheer-hopefuls having a great time.
“I think the camp is a lot of fun,” said Ava Waters, 5. “I really like the jumps the best.”
The experience was fun for the MVHS cheerleaders as well.
“I love how we get to share our skills with the community,” said MVHS co-captain, senior Hailee Heiselbetz. “We get to be role models for these girls and share our love of cheer with them. We make up all the material ourselves and it’s so fun to see them do it at the performance.”

The camp is a big fundraiser for the MVHS cheerleaders. “This camp really helps us keep our program going,” Leavitt said. “The money we raise goes towards new uniforms and to help buy all the favors we give to the sports teams. It supports us and helps us to support the other athletic programs at the high school.”

Leavitt was pleased with how the cheerleaders did with all the girls. “I have a great bunch of girls this year,” she said. “I love working with them. These little girls look up to them just like we looked up to cheerleaders when we were young. I constantly remind them they are always being watched.”

The MVHS cheerleaders have already had a busy year so far. They spent the summer practicing together and attending cheer camp, where they came away with an admirable third place finish in the dance category and a second place finish in the cheer category.

Parents were very supportive of the event. Jenny England had two daughters participate. “This camp has been great for my girls,” England said. “It is a good way for them to get their energy out.”