Cheer Team

Congratulations to the competition cheer team at Chapel Hill High School! The team traveled to Columbus, GA, for the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) competition where they competed on November 10 in sectionals and advanced to the finals on November 11. The team came home as the 2017 GHSA 4A State Cheerleading Champs. Chapel Hill is the first school in Douglas County to win state in cheerleading.

This was a rebuilding year for Chapel Hill competition cheerleading since only eight out of 19 girls were returning cheerleaders. “During tryouts, we immediately recognized the potential of this team but knew we had a lot of work ahead of us,” said Coach Cheryl Handley. “We decided to promote a new team culture based on the foundation of 'grit,' which is the combination of passion and perseverance. GRIT awards were given throughout the season to individual girls displaying these traits. In addition, the team persevered by finding ways around barriers and challenges. But most importantly, team bonding was put into action from day one. The girls truly consider this team as family. In all my years of coaching, I have never seen a tighter bond than what I see with these girls. Our cheer parents supported the team vision throughout the season.”

“The competition didn't really see Chapel Hill coming out strong this season,” said Alyssa Handley-Lascek, community coach and former Chapel Hill High School competition cheerleader. “However, as a team we set weekly goals and gained momentum as those goals were accomplished. We stayed focused on the job taking it one performance at a time. I am so proud of every cheerleader for giving her best all year!”

Pictured with their trophy and medals are team members: Front Row (L-R) Kaydee Cohran, Nyah Priester, Katelynn Tingen, Ivana Fiallos, Kailey Belcher, Ashley Hutton, Mikayla Cleary; Middle Row (L-R) Aliyah Hutton, Dajah Evans, Bralyn Curry, Capri Stroud, Kennedy King, Kennedy Cherry, Community Coach Alyssa Handley-Lascek, Head Competition Coach Cheryl Handley; Back Row (L-R) Principal Sean Kelly, Superintendent Trent North, Hannah Jackson, Ashlyn Boles, Olivia Sorensen, Sydney Stoutmire, Anaiya Rubin, Aliyah Robinson