Cheerleaders bring school spirit, learn lessons

We are in the midst of the Southeast Missourian Christmas Tournament. Several days of basketball, with hoops enthusiasts filling the Show Me Center to watch their school team play.

If you make it to the games, you are likely to see cheerleaders and other school spirit groups. These students do more than show up at game time. They practice, go to games, participate in camps. There is rarely down time.

A Southeast Missourian story earlier in December by reporter Savanna Maue looked at the activity, what lessons the students learn and how much time is involved.

Cape Girardeau Central High School cheerleading coach Patty Wamble said there is only about one month off, which is March. Other than this break, there's football, basketball, tryouts and camps. It's a commitment. However, that's one of the things that is good about these groups. They teach lessons such as teamwork, hard work and time management, as many of the members participate in other activities.

"There are a lot of good life lessons," Jackson varsity coach Jana Scott said. "It's not all about you. Check your attitude at the door. ... [Cheerleading] teaches the girls to get along with a large group of people, and at times there's drama, but they can't be a Debbie downer: They have a job to do."

We admire these students and coaches for their enthusiasm and give three cheers for encouraging school pride.