By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA–Loud cheers could be heard coming from the Helena High School cafeteria the afternoon of Tuesday, Aug. 28, as 50 girls learned a variety of cheers and routines on day one of a youth cheerleading clinic.

The youth cheerleaders, ranging in age from kindergarten through sixth grade, learned a variety of cheers from HHS varsity cheerleaders and head coach Kindall Cornelius at a school where they may one day cheer themselves.

The youth cheerleading clinic is designed for young girls who have an interest in cheerleading and after several years of hosting a one-day clinic, Cornelius said this year she decided to offer a two-day clinic after a large increase in participation.

“This is the first year that we’ve done the two-day format,” Cornelius said. “We usually do it on Friday for two hours of instruction and then they perform that night at the football game. We decided to add onto it this year in hopes that the girls would get more instruction and they could perform a little better in front of all the fans.”

Helena High School Varsity Cheer Captain Emily Stevenson is one of those that helps lead the clinic where she teaches the girls cheers and dance. Stevenson has been a varsity cheerleader for four years and said her favorite thing is seeing the younger girls enjoy the clinic.

“The little kids just enjoy it so much and seeing them smile and get so excited is great and I love it,” Stevenson said.

After the clinic concludes on Thursday, Aug. 30, the highlight for the girls will be when they get the opportunity to perform what they learned at the Helena High School varsity football game in front of a large crowd at Husky Stadium on Friday, Aug. 31.

The girls will perform a routine on the field 30 minutes before Helena kicks off against Hueytown.

As for the clinic as a whole, Cornelius echoed what Stevenson said when it comes to her favorite part.

“My favorite thing is just seeing the girls have fun and seeing them be able to look up to older cheerleaders as leaders and examples,” Cornelius said. “Then just seeing them perform and learn new material.”