CHS cheerleaders, coaches celebrate the season at 2019 awards banquet
CHESTER - A very busy cheer season has come to an end and the 2018-2019 Chester High School squad gathered Thursday evening March 28 for an end-of-the-year banquet and awards event.
Reid's Harvest House in Chester was the scene of the gathering and cheerleaders, parents, coaches and guests were there to enjoy the fine dining and the presentation of awards.
Volunteer Assistant Coach Dwight Lochhead, called the official portion of the evening to order, and Head Coach Mandy Lochhead welcomed everyone.
Lochhead then announced that she and her assistant coach, Paige Davitz were leaving the squad. Next season two new coaches, Alisa Herrell and Amanda Middendorf, will take over.
Both Lochhead and Davitz rescued the squad when no else stepped up to coach the CHS Cheer Team after the retirement of Coach Rachel Marshall and Coach Michelle Rust at the end of the 2017-2018 season.
"Cheerleading is a year-round sport and takes so much time, talent and dedication," Lochhead said. "I appreciate all that the girls and parents have contributed to keep the cheer program going."
Lochhead said the team is in good financial shape, making money with their Glo-Bingo fundraiser and 50/50 drawings at all football and basketball games.
"We cheered the football team into the state playoffs and the basketball team into the regionals," she added. "We won the 2019 Chester Invitational Cheer Competition and did an amazing job hosting the 2019 CHS Cheer Camp and teaching the little cheer hopefuls. I was very proud of all of the campers and of our cheerleaders."
She introduced the 2018-19 squad, calling them an "amazing group of athletes."
Her senior co-captains, Cara Childs and Kamryn Wingerter, "really demonstrated leadership and dedication," Lochhead said.
The four junior cheerleaders, including Ashtyn Jany, Jessica Handel, Amira Al-Jassim, and Adeline Blechle, earned pins for their letters.
Sophomore cheerleaders Kennedy Herrell, Lauren Soellner and Melody Colonel earned sophomore patches and a pin for their letters.
The two freshmen cheerleaders, Alex Hennrich and Anna Kueker, earned their first CHS sports letters and their class numbers.
Individual awards
Most Supportive: Alex Hennrich.
Hardest Working: Anna Kueker.
Best Voice: Melody Colonel
Most Dedicated: Kennedy Herrell
Best Attitude: Lauren Soellner
Most Outstanding: Ashtyn Jany
Best Facial (Smile): Amira Al-Jassim
Most Encouraging: Adeline Blechle
Best Team Player: Jessica Handel
Co-MVPs: Cara Childs and Kamryn Wingerter.
"Cara is such a talented and hardworking cheerleader," Lochhead said. "She scheduled practices right away in the summer as soon as the team was formed. She has been an excellent leader and thoroughly enjoyed teaching the younger cheerleaders as well as me. We appreciate all of her hard work and dedication to cheerleading throughout her four years at CHS. She has been such a huge asset to the team."
"Kamryn Wingerter has been a very talented and hardworking cheerleader," Lochhead added. "She loves cheer and it is so obvious when you see her on the floor. She was great at coming up with last minute ideas and games for practice and she was always encouraging the younger cheerleaders to improve. She has been a huge asset to the team and to CHS all four years."