Wheeler County Middle School Cheer Squad to Compete in Jacksonville, Perform at Gator Bowl

ALAMO, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – When Nicole Thornton took over the cheer program at Wheeler County Middle School earlier this year, she never imagined her first squad would be competing in a national competition.

“They’re a new squad, I’m a new coach,” Thornton says.  “It’s all very real and very new to me.”

It all started with an anonymous nomination to the competition’s board of directors.  Someone, who still hasn’t revealed his or her identity, noticed how hard the girls were working and figured they could compete on a national level.

“It’s based on the academic achievements, the community involvement–anything that could stand out to them,” Thornton says.  “With half our squad being first-time cheerleaders at the middle school level, that was something really big for us.”

Out of hundreds of nominations, the board chose the “Cheer Dawgs” as one of just ten squads to compete in Jacksonville.  They’re the only squad going from Georgia.

“This is a little town, and I just couldn’t believe it,” says 7th grader Shelbi Hartley.

“We’re so small,” says 7th grader Lynsey Ricks.  “Nothing big really happens here.”

“A lot of things are running through your head,” says 6th grader Shaquarius Wooten.  “Like, is the community going to be proud of you?”

The girls head to Florida late next month.  First, they’ll compete.  Then, they’ll perform in the Gator Bowl Parade.  Finally, on New Year’s Day on national television, they’ll take the field during the halftime show at the Gator Bowl.

So does cheering in front of more than 60,000 people make you nervous?

“A little bit,” says 7th grader Kalli Anderson.  “I’ve never cheered in front of that many people before.”

“I hope we can do our best and get these stunts down pat and have a good attitude about it,” says 6th grader Carlie Chapman.

Unfortunately, the trip isn’t free, and sending an entire middle school cheer squad to Florida isn’t cheap.

The girls have already raised a few thousand dollars, but to reach their goal and get the opportunity of a lifetime, they’re asking you to help them out.

To donate, make checks payable to “Wheeler County Middle School Cheerleaders” and mail them to the school at 50 Snowhill Road, Alamo, Georgia 30411.  You can also call the school to find out how you can help at (912) 568-7166.

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