ALABASTER – Representatives from Varsity Spirit recently recognized the Thompson High School and Thompson Middle School cheer and dance teams for their success at nationals.
On April 8, Varsity Spirit presented the DI Nationals School Spirit Championship trophy and check to the teams during a special ceremony at the Thompson High School Performing Arts Center.
"Throughout that unforgettable weekend, programs from all over the country took the stage and competed with heart, creativity and unmatched school spirit," said Amy Blacker, Varsity Spirit dance state director. "We are thrilled and proud to be here to celebrate a community that came together and rose to that challenge and defined it."
The THS cheer team, dance team and band competed together at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida, earlier this year and all three teams took home first place as National School Spirit Champions.
The THS teams also secured the following accolades:
- First place: Spirit Program Live: Dance band and cheer
- First place: Pep Band: THS Pep band
- Second place: Small Varsity High Kick: Dance
- Third place: Super Non-Tumbling Game Day: Cheer
The TMS cheer and dance teams also competed together at nationals, securing the title of national champions. The dance team earned first place in Junior High Kick and the cheer team placed in the Top 10 at competition for all three divisions, with eighth place in Small Junior High Game Day and fourth place in Large Junior High Intermediate. Together, the dance team and cheer team earned third place in the new spirit program category."I want to say how proud we are of our teams and our programs that have represented us so very well over the years," said Dr. Wesley Hester, assistant superintendent and THS principal. "Thank you, Varsity Spirit, for allowing us the opportunity to showcase what we do, not only as individual programs at the highest levels of success but now as part of one whole, collaboratively."
Varsity Spirit presented the TMS dance and cheer teams with a trophy as well as individual medals and a banner recognizing them as National School Spirit champions. They also received a check in the amount of $5,000 for Thompson Middle School.
For their success at nationals, the THS cheer team, dance team and band were presented with a trophy, individual medals, a banner and a check for $20,000 for Thompson High School.
"Cheer and dance are year-round sports," TMS Principal Dr. Neely Woodley said. "I see girls practicing every day, giving up their weekends and I just want to tell you how proud I am. Your hard work paid off."
Hester expressed his appreciation to the coaching and directorial staff who helped make achieving the national titles possible."We appreciate our coaches for what they do, our sponsors, our directors—not only for their individual programs but how well they have worked together," Hester said. "That has certainly translated into the collaboration that you see amongst those programs and with our kids."
