Pulaski Academy - Bruin Yearbook (Little Rock, AR)

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42 Straight to the top. The junior high cheerleaders perform the pop-up pyramid at a pep assembly before a basketball game. For me? Carissa Meyer is presented with a rose at halftime of one of the senior boys' games. This was only one of the ways the senior high cheerleaders showed their support. Leave me in Orlando! Junior high cheerleader Kristi Phelan climbs a palm tree in Disney World. The cheerleaders had a full day of fun at Disney World and Epcot during their stay in Florida. What's next? Valerie Pike stands at attention waiting for a cheer to begin during a home football game. The junior high cheerleaders added new cheers this year that they learned at cheerleading camp. Sports 5 r - , f A Eff 1 fa M Move it, Bruins! Marcie Lewis performs the dance part of the National' routine at halftime of the senior boys' game. The music for the routine was taken from the movie American Anthem.

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-v ri- ,fo .,,,,,,. . X.. ey, Bruins, all the wa ! P.A. all the way, a chant heard frequently throughout every season, is a phrase that describes how the cheerleaders felt about P.A. and cheerleading. This year brought a multitude of changes and hard work. The squad, made up of eight seniors, one junior, and one sophomore, than it had ever been before, said Catherine Caruthers. Although camp was difficult, the cheerleaders, led by Marley Meyer and Kate Lanford, brought home all superior ribbons, a nomination for nationals, and a spirit stick. At times, cheerleading was Homecoming was very unique and lots of fun to put together, explained Captain Marley Meyer. Cheerleading requires a multitude of energy and enthusiasm. One must be in shape to meet the demanding requirements of cheerleading. A good cheerleader must be able to cheer while exhausted and appear spirited. Kate Lanford took the changes in stride. The most demanding change for the cheerleaders was the fact that they were more than just cheerleaders. Since there was not a drillteam, the cheerleaders took on that role as well. It gave us a chance to dance. We never got to dance in the past, stated Karla Perkins. Being a pom pon squad was demanding, but the cheerleaders did not mind a bit. The cheerleaders' year began with a trip to Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, for cheerleading camp. Camp this year was tougher tougher than it looked. The squad spent many long hours practicing and preparing for pep rallies. The pep rallies were exciting, entertaining, and always up beat. Homecoming carried the theme of Fright Night, and the cheerleaders played a large part in making homecoming successful. The decorations consisted of witches, ghosts and goblins, and spiders and webs. Spooky songs filled the silence and a fog machine helped create the atmosphere by filling the halls with a blanket of smoke. Their sponsor, Theresa Caldwell, insisted that the cheerleaders kept in shape. Each practice began with a warm-up, including stretching, jumping, sit-ups, and push-ups. I hated doing the exercises during practice, but now I'm glad I did them, stated Kelly Hyde. Cheerleading is a sport and requires a lot of time. All the cheerleaders, however, agreed that the rewards were well worth the time, efforts, and aches. lt was a year of change, but it was also a year of growth. Senior High fijlfieeifleacleifs Senior High Cheerleaderszlfronl rowl Wesley Massey. Rachel While, Karla Perkins. Lynne Bryant. trow 23 Kelly Hyde. R h I R d C therine Caruthers. Monica Trammel MarlevMcverfcapta1nJ Kate Lanford fco-captainj Cheerleaders 4 ll.

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an Across the nation...a Bruin sensation The 1986-87 school year was a year of surprise and excitement for the junior high cheerleaders. For the first time at P.A., the junior high cheerleaders qualified for the National The cheerleaders in attendance represented the top 3fZp of cheerleaders in the entire United States. The cheerleaders stayed in the new Peabody in Orlando, and wished the junior high cheerleaders luck as they presented them with roses at a Senior boys' basketball game during halftime. The junior Bruin football and basketball It was a great honor for the cheerleaders to go to Nationals, andplacing eleventh was only the icing on the cake. Mrs. Susan Fitton, sponsor Cheerleading Association National Championship. It was held December 26-29 in Orlando, Florida. They qualified for the NCA Nationals by winning the Award of Excellence at the Arkansas State University Cheerleading camp. Marcie Lewis explained, Nationals gave our squad a great opportunity to have fun together and do something to represent our school. The junior high cheerleaders competed against 48 squads from all over the United States. the competition was held across the street at the Civic Center. I liked to walk over and watch the squads perform in my free time. Some of the pyramids they built were just amazing! exclaimed Carissa Meyer, co-captain. But the fun at nationals had required a lot of hard work. Throughout the year the cheerleaders held many fund raisers. They also received funds from the Bruin Backers and P.T.S.O. Support also came morally. The Senior High cheerleaders players decorated the cheer- leaders' lockers. The drill team was also very supportive as were the teachers and administration. The support from the students was very exciting and raised enthusiasm during pep assemblies, too. Overall, it was a good experience for the Junior high cheerleaders to go to Nationals. They had a chance to learn new material and the opportunity to meet cheerleaders from all over the nation, while earning a good name for Pulaski Academy. Jun H gh Chee I d tfrom row1Ashley B J l Peters. L B g d er. Helen Fulgham, V l ie Pikelrnw 33 C l yl d C M 1 aptainb Amt' M 'vt Sus F tp J K Phelan. Rob Sh M ' L ' 1 p J N1 h ll Cl C ileerleaders 4 5