Piedmont Begins Competition Cheerleading

Competition cheerleading will be the latest sport offered by Piedmont Academy during the 2014-2015 school year.

Coach Helen Harmon and her team members have been working this summer in preparation for the squad’s first meet in school history October 25.

“Things are off to a great start for the Piedmont Academy competition cheerleading squad,” Harmon said. “The girls have really stepped up to the challenge and shown their dedication to this team by coming to summer work outs three times a week.”

Emily Hammock is the team’s personal trainer and Harmon is assisted by Tonya Coe coaching the squad.

“The girls are also participating in a tumbling class every Wednesday at STORM in Covington,” Harmon said. “Their tumbling coaches, Nic and Logan Toussaint, have done a wonderful job of pushing them to become the best cheerleaders they can be. STORM’s co-owner, Jamie Glenn, held our choreography camp earlier this month.”

Harmon and Coe will be holding practice three times a week until school starts to work on perfecting the squad’s new routine.

“We are all very excited to see what this year will bring for the Piedmont Academy cheerleaders,” Harmon said.

The first competition for Piedmont will be at “The Mane Event,” hosted by Loganville Christian Academy Saturday, Oct. 25 at 9 a.m.

“It has been a challenge for the girls to adjust to a type of cheerleading they have never done before,” Harmon said. “However, they have shown a lot of growth just within the past few months. With their hard work and dedication, we really think this team will surprise a lot of people.”

Members of the school’s first competitive cheerleading team include JaDe Padgett, Parker Kelly, Tracie Harris, Dana Wright, Alex Stanton, Summer Collins, Bridgette Phillips, Grace Roberts, Bailyn Whitaker, Sara Hammonds, Emma Kate Edmonds, Caitlyn Young, Railey Holloway, Taylor Patterson, Sydney Davis and Ryn Smith.

“Our biggest goal for the 2014 season is to help these girls develop into strong cheerleaders and learn the proper technique of tumbling and stunting,” Harmon said. “We want our girls to be confident in themselves as well as in their team. Our ultimate goal is to continue to build the Piedmont Academy cheer program with strong athletes. We want a team that our student and supporters will be proud of.”