ROCKINGHAM — The largest summer camp at Richmond Senior High School this year has brought a lot of energy to the gymnasium this week.
Richmond’s annual cheerleading camp hosted 170 campers this summer, the first camp to be led by first-year head coach Cassie Tyler.
“We were so excited to have such a big turnout and to see so many kids come out to support Raider cheer,” Tyler shared.
Using the school’s main gymnasium and the cafeteria, Tyler and Richmond’s varsity and junior varsity cheerleading teams led instruction for four hours each day Monday through Wednesday.
With 21 cheerleaders this year, the varsity squad is made up of returners Makayla Brown, Madalyn Burnett, Laney Dawkins, Camden Nolan, Anna Stogner and Emma Williams.
Newcomers to the varsity team this year are Kenya Bailey, Aalyssa Chavis, Yaniice Conaway, Imani Culbertson, DeMaya Dennard, Aimee Dobson, Janyla Douglas-Watkins, Samiyah Evans, Malasia Fletcher, Temaya Lockhart, Kelani Lovett, Layla Nichols, Madison Smith, Myah Williams and Kaylon Wynn.
The JV team had the following cheerleaders present to assist with campers — Shaniya Bailey, David Brown, Jahzaiah Brown, R'mani Cunningham, Chloe Douglas, Harper Johnson, Kaylee Kephart, Nealey Lovin, Chyla McDonald, Kinleigh McLain, Shan'iyah Smith, Tristen Stanback, Cheyenne Terry, Shamia Williams and Marly Woolard.
Assisting Tyler as coaches were Candice Nolan, Whitney Shuler and Felicia Rheault.
“Our main goal is to help kids fall in love with cheerleading while teaching them the basics and giving them a chance to be part of the Raider cheer family,” Tyler explained.
Camp was broken into five groups, starting with the Baby Raiders (ages 3-4). Tyler said the focus “is all about having fun, learning simple motions, and getting comfortable in front of a group.”
The Mini Raiders (ages 5-6) “work on basic technique, chants, and beginner jumps,” while the Junior Raiders (ages 7-9) “start putting motions together, working on timing, and learning more challenging cheers.”
At camp, the Elite Raiders (ages 10 and up) “get to focus on sharper motions, more advanced jumps, and learning full routines.”
That carries over to the middle school squads in attendance, which “work on game-day leadership, consistent motion technique, and team skills to prepare for the next level.” Cordova, Ellerbe, Hamlet and Rockingham middle schools were all present this year.
Through the first three days of camp, Tyler shared her satisfaction with how everything has gone so far.
“I couldn’t be happier with how camp went,” Tyler said. “Having 170 campers is huge, and the energy all week was so positive. The kids really worked hard, learned new skills, and had fun exactly what we hoped for.
“Our varsity cheerleaders did an amazing job helping out, and the campers loved getting to learn from them. The big showcase at the end of the week was one of my favorite parts because the kids got to show their families everything they learned.
“We’re really thankful for our sponsors and the community for supporting Raider cheer,” she closed. “It was a great first camp, and we’re already looking forward to making it even better next year.”
Camp will conclude Thursday with each age group putting on a performance. The showcase will start at 10 a.m. in the main gym and is open to the public.
