The Kokomo High School cheerleaders cheered their way to several awards at the Ball State University Cheerleading Camp in late July.  On the final day of competition, Kokomo’s combined Varsity and Jayvee squad won the cheer competition, the extreme routine competition, and the Camp Champ trophy, while the Freshmen squad earned the same awards in its division.  The highlight for the KHS cheerleaders was being awarded the coveted UCA Spirit Award “Top Banana” for demonstrating the most school spirit throughout the 4-day camp.

During the camp, the KHS squads combined to earn 10 spirit sticks and 8 superior ribbons for cheers and dances, while the cheerleaders also earned a superior ribbon and a trophy in the school fight song competition.  They also claimed first place in the home pom-pom routine.

Sixteen of the KHS cheerleaders were chosen as All-American cheerleaders as all 8 Varsity members – seniors Molly O’Keefe, Madison Thompson, Shelby Tickfer, and Brooke Wininger; juniors Anh Pham, Ashley Ploughe, and Katy Volikas and sophomore Autumn Obermeyer – earned this special distinction.  Earning All-American status from the Jayvee squad were: junior Jasmine Brown and sophomores Sierra Hobbs, Paris McCullum, and Michaela Stewart.  Other members of the KHS Jayvee squad are Taylor Pratt and Shelby Skaggs.

Earning All-American honors from the Freshmen squad were: Taylor Corum, Aarora Parslow, Deju Miller, and Holly Stewart.  Other freshmen cheerleaders include: Grace Burton, Amy Edwards, Katlyn Van Horn,  Lilly Volikas, and Kate Wompler.

Paris McCullum won the Jayvee jump competition, while Jasmine Brown, Anh Pham, and Taylor Pratt earned superior awards in the Varsity jump competition. In the “Pin It Forward” ceremony, Madison Thompson and Molly O’Keefe were recognized by the UCA staff, while Paris McCullum, Deju Miller, Ashley Ploughe, and Michaela Stewart earned the same award from their peers.

Seniors Molly O’Keefe and Madison Thompson have been invited to try-out to become UCA camp instructors.