Mount St. Mary Academy hosted a special evening for its spirit squads on Sunday, March 3. Held at the Country Club of Little Rock, the Spirit Banquet celebrated the groups’ accomplishments over the past year and honored several young women with individual awards.
The cheerleading squads and Rockettes dance team entertain crowds and promote school spirit year-round at MSM and CHS athletics events, and the Spirit Banquet provides the opportunity to recognize the talented groups for their hard work and dedication.
“What most people do not realize until they’ve lived it is that Cheer and Rockettes are a year-round sport,” explained Marly Gammill, MSM French teacher and Freshman Cheer sponsor. “These girls never give anything less than their all. They are the hardest workers and have hearts as big as Mount St. Mary. The Spirit Banquet is a great time to thank everyone who makes the spirit year possible.”
Dee James, MSM office administrator and Rockettes coach, echoed similar sentiments after the fun celebration. “Last night’s Spirit Banquet was remarkable. The girls looked fabulous, as always, and my heart is full of love from the spirit squads’ members, parents and coaches. I am so blessed to be a part of such an amazing group.”
Seniors Elizabeth Cline and Chloe Lay were honored with the evening’s top awards, chosen by the spirit squad coaches. Elizabeth received the Mary Ellen Pate Memorial Award, given to the spirit squad member who best embodies strength of character, discipline, hard work, dedication talent, grace and a little sass. The Carolyn Chalmers Spirit Award was given to Chloe for promoting school spirit at MSM by living the Mercy values of untiring service, hospitality and response to need. Recipients of the evening’s additional awards are listed below.
Varsity Cheer Awards:
Team Player: Gracie Connell ’21
Above and Beyond: Beatrice Zargari ’20
Most Passionate: Kennedy Phillips ’19
Transformation: Megan Jennings ’19
Squad Choice / Best All Around: Kennedy Phillips ’19
Coaches’ Choice / Top of the Pyramid: Elizabeth Cline ’19
Freshman Cheer Awards:
Squad Choice: Anna Falcon ’22
Most Improved: Carson Sanders ’22
Coach’s Award / Leadership: Mimi Baldwin ’22
Rockettes Awards:
Best Dancer: Addie Grace Coleman ’20
Best Kicks: Elizabeth James ’21 and Anna Jewel Schluterman ’21
Purple Pom: Ashley Henry ’19 and Chloe Lay ’19
Rockette of the Year: Addie Grace Coleman ’20
Silver Pom: Ashley Henry ’19
View photos of the event, courtesy of Karen Tlapek, at https://flic.kr/s/aHsmBB1f3d.
Congratulations to our 2018-2019 Cheerleaders and Rockettes on a wonderful season, and thank you to their fabulous coaches — Kilee Fogleman, Marly Gammill, Dee James, and Allison Caldarera — for their tireless devotion to the spirit program!
Mount St. Mary Academy, sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, develops young women with a moral and intellectual foundation rooted in Catholic tradition. Mercy-minded and college-prepared, our students meet the future with wisdom, compassion and integrity.