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Lowndes Academy’s Rebel cheerleaders attended the Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) Alabama Independent School Association (AISA) camp June 16 – 19 at Troy University. Varsity and junior varsity squads earned placement in multiple individual and group competitions and took home the coveted UCA Top Banana award after the nearly week-long statewide event.

Cheerleaders attending the annual camp hone their skills through daily clinics to compete against their peers from across Alabama at the week’s end. Lowndes Academy cheer coach Kristen Harrell has taken Rebel squad to the camp for roughly 22 years and also attended during her high school years at Lowndes Academy. She said cheerleaders gain valuable skills which will last them a lifetime as well as precious memories and lifelong friendships.

“Even when they’re tired or hurt, they push through to do what they can for their team,” Harrell said. “They make fun memories and friendships that will help them throughout life.”

The Rebels’ varsity squad — Lily Hamit, Ann Kathryn Harrell, Mary Ellen Azar, Leighton Callis, Mary Miller Callis, Emily Taylor, Camryn Hess, Lexi Hagood, Casey Pouncey, Charli Meadows, Ellis Ann Evans, Emma Phillips, Avery Hawk, Mary Larkin Coker and Ella Woodall — came away as the Large Squad State Champions, placing first in the Cheer category and second for Camp Routine and Sideline. Hagood, Hamit, Ella, Phillips, Azar, Hess and Meadows also won the PIN IT Forward award.

The varsity squad also earned bragging rights as UCA Top Banana, the squad showing the most team spirit. According to Harrell, the honor goes to the squad observed as helping and encouraging other teams.

Callis said she has been going to cheer camp with her Lowndes Academy squad for five years. She recalls the experience as one of the most important weeks she has spent as a student-athlete.

“I enjoy growing as a team,” Callus said. “Even during the tough times, when we are all tired and getting a little grouchy with each other, we make so many new memories and we bond as a team. We grow together and it helps us have a closer connection during the rest of the school year and football season.

“I think it’s a good experience because it’s really challenging. It’s also one of the most fun weeks we have as cheerleaders because we get to spend time together and show spirit… to grow as people and as a team.”

Junior varsity Rebels’ cheerleaders won the State Runners-up title, placing first in Cheer and second for Camp Routine. Also earning PIN IT Forward awards were Tensley Marshall and Ava Claire Robinson.

“Cheer camp this year was my favorite year so far,” Robinson said of her second year attending cheer camp. “I made so many new friends and the experience was a lot of fun. I love competition day and camp [is a time] where you can work on team relationships as well as working on myself.”

Varsity Rebels named as UCA All Americans are Hagood, Charli Meadows, Mary Miller Callis and Hess. Robinson and Annabelle Wilkinson, JV squad cheerleaders, were also named UCA All Americans. Hagood, Callus, Meadows and Hess earned placement on the AISA All Star squad.

Harrell expressed her heartfelt gratitude to Lowndes Academy Headmaster, Coach Barry Mohun, and athletic director, Matt Marshall, for the privilege of coaching Rebel cheerleaders. “I’m thankful that God has allowed me the opportunity and continues to allow me the opportunity to work with these young girls and invest into young people, because they are our future,” Harrell said. 

She also pointed to the many individuals who support the squad’s time at camp.

“The most important thing [they do] is pray,” she said. “They pray for no injuries… that our girls will have a wonderful experience. They also check in to make sure we don’t need anything. They are always just a phone call away.”