The Bartlett High School cheerleading program kicked off the new season by traveling to camp at Panama City Beach, Fla., in June.
They brought home two trophies and represented Bartlett well: They won Overall Superior in camp cheer and extreme routine (the camp’s dance). They also took third place in extreme routine.
Denise Henry has been the cheer sponsor at Bartlett High School since 2012. “We have experienced our share of growing pains but have become a stronger program because of it,” she said.
Last year the team traveled to Orlando for Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) Nationals and brought home seventh place in the Game Day division.
“We are a competitive cheer program. We train for competition season which begins in Nov-ember, and we push for that bid to nationals. However, we are cheerleaders first. Our main priority is getting ready to cheer for our Panthers on Friday nights under the lights,” Henry said.
Garrett Gieszler is beginning his first full year coaching the cheer program. He came in to coach in the middle of last year and helped push the girls and the program toward success.
The team will be introduced and will perform at “Meet the Panthers” on Saturday, Aug. 8. They then kick off football season with Jamboree on Aug. 14 under the lights of Panther Stadium.
The team is composed of 20 girls in grades 9-12.
For more information, email bartlettcheer13@gmail.com.
