Before last year, Bartlett schools had not had a pom squad for more than 10 years, but that changed in 2014. Lynda Boswell now coaches students at Bon Lin Middle School, Bartlett 9th Grade Academy and Bartlett High School.
All teams performed at the Riverkings and the Memphis Grizzlies, along with performing at the schools’ basketball games this school year.
“We had a very successful season,” Boswell said.
She is a Bartlett graduate and former cheerleader, as well as a member of the pom squad at the University of Memphis. Boswell is also a UDA instructor.
Feeder teams
She is currently developing two all-star teams to be called Panther Pom. These teams will learn basic skills and feed into the Bartlett programs.
One team will include fourth- and fifth-graders, and the other will include seventh- and eighth-graders.
“Good training at the lower leves is so important to the overall future of Bartlett pom,” Boswell said.
Sarah Shappley, Bartlett High teacher and pom sponsor, gave credit to Boswell for a successful first year. “She has been working with Bartlett High School freshman and varsity pom squad and has done a phenomenal job turning the program around.”
Shappely echoed Boswell’s encouragement for younger students learning the skills. “… Since it is a talented feeder program for the Bartlett Academy and high school, it is important that we have skilled coaches in the lwoer grades. Therefor, when girls reach high school they already know the basics and have a good foundation. As a result, we are able to build on what they already know to make the program successful. We are anticipating being a competitive program in the near future, and this is key to reaching that standard and level of expectations for our squad.”
Help and participate
This new initiative is currently seeking sponsors as well.
For more information about sponsorship or to sign up for Panther Pom, contact Boswell at pantherpom@outlook.com or call (901) 380-9449.
