Sometimes the simplest acts of kindness can have the greatest impact.
The Indianola Academy cheerleaders and dance team learned this last week when they were commended throughout the Midsouth Association of Independent Schools for a single act of sportsmanship during a recent home football game.
IA cheer sponsor Ann Claire Edwards told The Enterprise-Tocsin that it all began three weeks ago when the Colonels were hosting Delta Streets, an all-boys private school that has no cheer or dance teams.
A woman from the Delta Streets sideline walked over to the home side at half time and complimented both the cheer and dance girls for their performances during the half.
She told Edwards she wished the girls would visit the Delta Streets side and perhaps spread some of their cheer and enthusiasm for the visitors.
Edwards approached her girls about the possibility of doing just that.
“They jumped on it,” she said. “They said, ‘Absolutely.’ They were happy to do it.”
Edwards said she expected just that from the girls, but no one was expecting the letter sent by MAIS Director of Development Les Triplett on September 16.
“After halftime, the IA cheerleaders left their sideline and moved to the Delta Streets side on the track,” Triplett said in his letter. “They then began to cheer as if they were Delta Streets cheerleaders, even swapping their chants and cheers from “Colonels” to the Delta Streets mascot, “Lions!” What a fantastic display of sportsmanship. In a world where we hear so much negative, we felt it would benefit all of our member schools to hear about these remarkable young ladies doing something of this magnitude.”
Dance team sponsor Henley Harrell said she is proud of the cheerleaders and her dancers, but she was not surprised at all they were willing to do this.
“They really did it out of the kindness of their heart,” Harrell said. “I don’t think they ever thought they would get any recognition for it. It was just a little kind act that they did. That really is the kind of girls they are. They are very sweet, and they are very genuine in what they do.”
Harrell and Edwards both pointed out that when the girls went to the Delta Streets side and began cheering for the Lions, the opponent scored their only touchdown of the night.
“They weren’t long over there when they scored a touchdown,” Edwards said. “The only touchdown they scored was when our girls were on their side. It just goes to show that a little enthusiasm can help.”
Most who were in attendance did not notice the gesture, including IA Headmaster Charlie Mason, but he too was not surprised.
“These are fantastic young ladies who are always looking for an opportunity to help others,” Mason said. “They saw a situation where they could help and have an impact on others and just did what they could because it would bring joy to those fans. I also am grateful for their sponsors for all the work they do to help our cheerleaders and dance team be the best they can be.”
IA narrows its cheer and dance teams in the spring, for the most part, and they immediately go to work learning the routines for the following fall.
This includes rigorous camps during the summer and multiple practices a week, at times, during the season.
On top of that, many of the girls on both teams are also softball players, soccer players, swimmers and full-time students.
Edwards said that she hopes the girls will take this experience further in life.
“I hope it’s more of a life lesson for them,” she said. “If you see somebody who needs a little extra cheer or enthusiasm in life, you should step up and be that person if you can. I’m hoping it’s more than something that happened on a Friday night and it can carry on forever.”
