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Private school cheerleaders earn state, national accolades
Submitted Photo - The Faith Christian Academy elementary cheerleading squad performs March 31 at the Spirit Celebration Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Nation Competition. The squad beat out 11 teams in its division to win first place at the competition, the second-largest in Texas.
By Chris Beattie, cbeattie@starlocalnews.com
There is a cheerleading phenomenon sprouting in McKinney from a somewhat unlikely source.
Faith Christian Academy, a small private school that first formed a cheerleading squad a year ago, is taking the sport by stunts, tumbles and trophies.
"They just have this charisma and showmanship when they're out there," said Wendy Kizer, FCA cheerleading sponsor. "They really stand out."
Faith Christian cheerleaders have won six state championships, three national championships and two Grand Championship titles at competitions around the state and country -- just during the 2011-12 season.
Their coach: 17-year-old FCA student Kylie Kizer.
"I take any girl and try my best to make them an amazing cheerleader," said Kylie, who spent the past 5 years cheering at Lucas Christian Academy and Cornerstone Christian Academy. "It's just that 'wow' factor when these kids come in and beat out competitive teams that most expect to be much better."
The elementary team, made up of first- through fifth-graders, won its division and earned Grand Champion status in December at a Christian Cheerleaders of America competition, one of many held around the nation throughout the year. Its score was best among all divisions.
Three FCA cheerleaders -- Katie Kizer, Kobey Campbell and Sarah Czuwala -- this season have each won the WOW award, which Spirit Celebration judges present to a squad's standout cheerleader. The judges select about 12 cheerleaders out of 600 who display outstanding showmanship during the competition.
"They've really come together and shown they have amazing talent," Kylie said of her young squad. "They push themselves to be the best they can be."
As trophies and banners fill up FCA hallways, the school now proudly claims a sport that started there last April. Because of its small size, FCA facilitates basketball and football teams through rec leagues, joining up with students from other schools.
Wendy and Kylie wanted more than sideline cheers. They pushed for FCA representation at outside competitions, where cheerleaders could high-kick the traditional trend.
With administration's and parents' approval, they held a cheerleading workshop and sent FCA students to a cheerleading summer camp. Kylie began choreographing routines for their newly formed teams.
"Everyone was so excited to just have something," Wendy said of FCA's new sport, "something they never really experienced."
Few team members had ever been cheerleaders, and even Kylie spent more time cheerleading in front of fans instead of judges. She first coached junior high students then added the younger team as interest at the school grew.
The FCA gym's ceilings are too low for cheerleading stunts like basket tosses, so the teams practice twice a week in a half-size gym at a dance studio across the street. Elementary cheerleaders practice after school before the older team practices from 6 to 8 in the evening.
Cheerleaders range from 6 to 14 years old, but success -- in and out of uniform -- has quickly masked their late beginnings.
"Faith Cheerleading has given my daughter the opportunity to not only grow in her cheerleading skills, but more importantly, to grow in character," said Karen Doshier, whose daughter Sarah cheers on the elementary squad. "She knows her team is counting on her. She takes her responsibility seriously and practices daily. She has learned that success takes commitment and hard work."
Other parents tell Wendy their young cheerleaders extend practice to their living room and even "do cartwheels at the grocery store." Their constant preparation has shined through at competitions in Garland, Denton and Dallas, and over Spring Break, the teams traveled to Tennessee for a two-day America's Best competition.
Competitive cheerleading squads are "becoming more and more a trend" at public and private schools, Wendy said.
But cheerleading is more than a trend at FCA. It's a phenomenon.
"We're just a little school," Wendy said. "And this is their big sport."
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