Fire Cheerleaders Repeat As National Champions
(03-26-09)
CONCORD, N.C.--The Southeastern University cheerleading squad won its second straight CCA National Championship earlier this month at the Christian Cheerleaders of America national competition.
The Fire cheerleading squad won its first CCA National Championship last year in Concord, N.C., but came back to this year's tournament facing a little more pressure because of the team's desire to defend its title.
"Going into Christmas break this year, I was unsure if we would even compete; the squad is young and I felt they may need a year of growth before venturing out and competing," said Fire Cheerleading Coach Deb Beck.
The Fire has competed nationally the past four years, not just in the CCA nationals but also in national events like those put on through the Fellowship of Christian Cheerleaders.
"Our team motto this year has been 'In Him we live, through Him we achieve,'" added Coach Beck. "It was through Him this all came together."
The Fire also competed in the all-girl stunt division as Michaela Shuttlesworth, Brooke Pagel, Kristine Romero, and Megan Linder took first place as National Champions.
Reggie Corpening and Michaela Shuttlesworth, with spotting help from Ryan Robb, also made an appearance for the open co-ed stunt division and took third place overall.
SEU Cheerleaders Give Back
(10-03-06)
LAKELAND--The Southeastern University Cheerleaders started off their season determined to make an impact on the youth and young cheerleaders throughout Polk County and Central Florida by volunteering their time to the North Lakeland Volunteer Football League (NLVFL) Cheerleaders, September 21 at Duff Field.
Fire cheerleaders Chelsea Simonds, Emily Gibble, and Kristen Burke worked alongside Lynn McCormick, NLVFL Girls Director, to teach the girls sideline cheers as well as a short dance routines.
The SEU cheerleaders were greeted warmly by about 25 young cheerleaders, ages six to 13 years old, who were thrilled with the chance to learn from the Fire cheerleaders.
After personal training from the SEU cheerleaders, the young cheerleaders performed everything they were taught with eager ears and eyes watching them.
When the Fire cheerleaders departed they were thanked with hugs and smiles. The Fire cheerleaders also left with the satisfaction of knowing that for one night they made a difference with the talent God gave them.
Reaching Out
(02-11-06)
Not content to merely stay on the sidelines, a group of Southeastern's cheerleaders reached out to some local women at Lighthouse Ministries this past Thanksgiving- but left with their own hearts stirred by God's amazing love and power.
The Cheerleading squad was privileged to go to the women and children of Light House Ministries on November 25, 2003. They brought many crafts for the mothers to help their children make a 'turkey' for the holiday. It all started with a simple art project, but soon moved into a worship service and a time of testimonies. Our cheerleaders were passionate in conveying their own personal stories of God's grace in their lives, and His presence was heavy in room. At one point, a pregnant young woman confided in Coach Kara that no one would be with her when she gave birth to her child. By coincidence (or was it?), the young woman went into labor the very next day, and Coach Kara happened to be one of the attending nurses at the delivery.
Here at Southeastern, our athletes don't merely play sports. They are getting an extremely holistic experience, with lessons in spirituality and community service. The lesson learned with the cheerleaders: God touches you for touching others, and He cares about every little detail of our lives. Right down to making sure a frightened young woman had a hand to hold.
