Grambling State University’s Miss Plus Couture lends her talent to help Grambling Laboratory High School cheerleaders reach national heights.
Brittany Smith has been helping with the GHS’s cheerleaders for two semesters, but this is her first semester as a head coach and under her leadership the cheerleaders are already headed to nationals.
Grambling Laboratory High School’s cheerleading team has been around since the 1960s, but this is their first time being able to compete at a national level.
GHS’s cheering kittens were able to make the roster for nationals because while at camp they achieved the Spirit Award which is one of the highest awards. “The girls have improved tremendously in the aspect of cheering. Along with jumps, tumbling and spirit, their attitudes and respect towards each other has been beyond positive,” said Smith.
Smith admitted that she was once a cheerleader and to see the girls at the games without a sponsor really made her decided to help them out.
Alongside Brittany Smith is her coaching team consisting of coaches Marcus Kennedy, Antoine Grimes, D’Andre Wilson, and Kdeja Johnson.
Kennedy, who is a captain of GSU’s cheerleaders, helps the girls with the importance of sharpness, clean and smooth transitions and the ins and outs of cheering beyond the high school level. Grimes is another captain for the GSU cheerleaders and he helps the girls focus on tumbling and stunting.
Wilson and Johnson bring the elements of dance and teach the girls the importance of pointing their toes in order to execute jumps and routines.
Smith added that there’s more to cheerleading than that.
“I try to teach the girls how to respect themselves and respect others. I hope to teach not only the value of being better cheerleaders but young women.”
The girls have also helped Smith learn an important lesson.
“They have helped me in being understanding of this next generation of strong black female leaders,” said Smith
The cheering Kittens are on their way to nationals, but they can still use your help financially.
In efforts to raise money the team will be holding bake sales and cheerleading competitions for schools around the Grambling and Ruston area. The Kittens also have a booster club called The Hello Kittees. Fans of the Kittens can also help by sponsoring the girls, giving money and encouragement. As a way to say thank you, all sponsors who donate to the Kittens will have their names put on a cheer box.
The cheering Kittens go to Nationals on Jan. 11-13, 2013.