CHS Cheerleader makes SEMO Cheer Squad
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Chester High School senior, Mollie Laramore, will be one of the newest members of the Southeast Missouri State University Cheerleading squad when school starts in the fall of the 2010-2011 school year.
She began her cheerleading career in 6th grade at Chester Grade School and cheered all three years at CGS on the Jr. Jackets squad. In the 8th grade Mollie was the MVP of the Jr. Jackets 2006 squad.
After CGS Laramore continued her cheering endeavors at Chester High School where she made the Yellow Jacket's squad her freshman year. She cheered all four year at CHS earning the Most Spirited Award her freshman through junior years. As a senior at CHS Laramore won the award for being the Co-MVP for cheerleading during the 2009-2010 season.
Mollie's quest to become a SEMO Redhawk Cheerleader began in April when she tried out for the varsity Co-Ed Squad. More than 40 people tried out and Laramore earned a spot on the 2010-2011.
Tryouts were two days and Laramore was competing for one of eight positions on the SEMO squad. There were four returning cheerleaders who were guaranteed a spot so Mollie was actually competing for one of four positions.
The first day of tryouts was a seven-hour ordeal from 10:00 a.m. till 5:00 p.m. During the morning contestants took part in fitness testing, then in the afternoon the cheerleader hopefuls learned two sideline routines, the SEMO fight song, a floor cheer and stunting.
On the second day the tryout lasted nine hours from 10:00 a.m. till 7:00 p.m. The morning session was primarily review and stunting and after lunch the actual tryout began. The contestants had to perform three stunts with a co-ed team. Groups had to perform a toss-toe chair, a toss extension, and a toss-hands-lib.
After the stunting portion of the tryout, contestants had to perform individually. Each SEMO hopeful had to perform two sidelines, a floor cheer, the school fight song and demonstrate tumbling ability.
In the end Laramore earned her position on the 2010-2011 SEMO Co-Ed Squad. With that honor came a $250.00 scholarship which increases each year that she remains on the squad. Laramore will begin her career at SEMO this summer during summer workouts and once school begins in August, Mollie can be seen at SEMO Redhawk Football games and later at SEMO Redhawk Basketball games.