(reprinted from The Berrien Press, July 29, 2009) 

by Jarrett Luke
        There will be a new look to cheerleading at Berrien High this
upcoming season. Berrien has added a competition squad to go along with its
spirit squad. This will be the first competition squad at Berrien High
School and will be directed by two new coaches, Trey Giddens and Mallory
O'Brien. Two co-captains, seniors Ansleigh White and Karlie Griner, will
lead the squad. The other seniors on the squad are Perrin Williams and Vonna
Allen; two juniors, Mary Vanlandingham and Audrey Copeland; sophomores,
Jessica Pope, Maebry Garner, Talia Riley, Marlee Mathis, Courtney Wright,
Brittany McDonough, Amanda Lawhorn, and Brittany Puckett; freshmen, Lauren
Dillingham, and Cameron Vance. Senior Kathleen Graham will serve  mascot.
        The competition squad will still cheer at football and basketball
games, but will compete on six Saturdays this fall. They will compete at
Turner, Crisp, Lowndes, Warner Robins, Tifton, and Fitzgerald.
        The cheerleaders and their coaches have been hard at work preparing
for this new challenge. Every Tuesday night, the cheerleaders travel to
Tifton to practice their tumbling skills at Southern Pride. Also, they have
been at camp practicing new routines and cheers as well as painting signs
and getting ready to cheer on the Rebels on Friday nights this fall.
        "Both squads have been working hard to make this year the best yet.
We are excited to have the opportunity to compete this year and hope to see
everyone on Friday nights and at Saturday Invitationals, stated coach
Mallory O'Brien.