Russellville High School’s varsity cheerleading squad recently completed summer cheer camp at Auburn University and received several awards and ribbons.

“They worked so hard all week. I am so proud of how they represented Russellville,” said cheer coach Stephanie Mayfield.

The squad placed third in the Large Varsity Division for rally routine, sideline and cheer. They received spirit sticks every night for spirit and leadership and won blue Superior Ribbons for their rally routine, sideline and cheer.

The squad credentialed, which means it completed all of squad goals and assignments that dealt with safety and sports in general.

In individual achievements, Ashlyn DeArman was a finalist in the cheerleading jump-offs with her toe touches. Kaydee Holland and Caroline Touchstone were dubbed All-Americans, an honor for which they had to try out. Mayfield said they had to perform their best jump, an All-American cheer and a dance. “This is very rigorous and challenging,” Mayfield said.

UCA staff invitations were extended to Holland, Yaneli Behena, Maggie Willingham, Ellyse Strickland and Touchstone. These girls were recommended by Mayfield and UCA Staff to come back and try out to become members of the UCA staff.

“These cheerleaders have excellent skills and have shown exceptional qualities that a member of UCA staff should possess,” said Mayfield.

Abby Peters and Tori Tiffin received Pin it Forward awards, which Mayfield said are given to cheerleaders who show “leadership, commitment, kindness and genuine spirit.” In turn, the recipients give a second pin to someone on another squad the next day at camp.

The squad also received the most coveted item at camp, Mayfield said: the banana.

Each night at camp, a squad gets the banana to sign and bring back the next day. UCA staff awards it to squads showing excellent cheerleading spirit, dedication, kindness and attitude.

Each selected squad signs it and returns it the next day; however, on the last day it’s given, it goes to the squad demonstrating those qualities all week long, and that squad gets to take it home. Russellville varsity and junior varsity got to bring the banana home from camp.