News Summary
East Mississippi Community College has unveiled its cheerleading squad for the upcoming academic year, led by new head coach Sarah Thompson. The team features 19 talented members, including four returnees and 15 new cheerleaders, showcasing a mix of experience and fresh talent. With preparations underway for the football season, the spirit and energy of the new squad point to an exciting season ahead for EMCC athletics.
Exciting News from Scooba: Meet the New EMCC Cheerleading Team!
Hey there, cheer fans! Scooba is buzzing with excitement as East Mississippi Community College has officially introduced its cheerleading squad for the upcoming 2025-26 academic year. This year marks a special chapter for the team, with Sarah Thompson stepping in as the head cheer coach. Fresh energy is in the air, and these cheerleaders can’t wait to hit the field!
Your New Cheer Squad
This year’s team is made up of 19 talented members, including four returning faces that the EMCC community knows well. The squad showcases a fantastic mix of experience and fresh talent, with:
- 4 returning members
- 3 first-year sophomores
- 12 incoming freshmen
The Returnees
Let’s start with the heart and soul of the team—the returning cheerleaders! They include:
- Tyler Carter, hailing from Oak Hill Academy
- Armani Hunter, a familiar face on the sidelines
- Huy Le, who graduated from Starkville
- Carlee Parker, a well-known presence in the cheer community
Fresh Faces Eager to Shine
In addition to the four returnees, the squad welcomes three incoming sophomores who are sure to make an impact:
- Erin Dawson, transferring in from Alcorn State University
- Asia Price, a proud 2024 Starkville High School graduate
- Skylar Erving, who comes from Noxubee County High School
And let’s not forget the stars of the future! The newcomers include 12 enthusiastic freshmen, with a remarkable number—seven of them—hailing from nearby Starkville prep programs. Here’s a peek at the dynamic freshmen lineup:
- Camille Morgan (Starkville High School)
- Zoie Williams (Starkville High School)
- Hannah Cain (Starkville Academy)
- Cora Beth Robertson (Starkville Academy)
- Josh Kelley and Marly McMillan (former teammates at Winston Academy)
- Semya Brewster (Northeast Lauderdale High School)
- Shaniya Finley (Quitman High School)
- Xylan Cox (Mendenhall)
- Kyla Smith (Brookhaven)
- Ty’Lecia Lemon (Grenada)
New Coach, New Beginnings
As the head cheer coach, Sarah Thompson brings a wealth of experience to the table. She recently took over the role after Danielle McDade retired to pursue teaching psychology full-time at EMCC. Thompson isn’t just about cheers; she also plans to help out with academic recruiting for EMCC’s Enrollment Management department.
Starting her coaching journey as a graduate assistant at Delta State University, Thompson has worked her way up in the world of cheer. Her track record includes coaching at both the junior college level and NCAA level, and she even led the cheer program at Mississippi Delta Community College last year. As a magna cum laude graduate, she knows what it takes to excel both academically and athletically.
What’s Next for the Cheer Squad?
The cheer squad is under the new leadership of Thompson and is already hard at work preparing for the upcoming football season. With such a diverse group of cheerleaders, the team is all set to strut their stuff and support their school’s athletic programs. The combination of returning and new cheerleaders promises to bring fresh enthusiasm to the sidelines.
So, get ready for a thrilling season ahead! With Sarah Thompson at the helm and a talented crew of cheerleaders, the EMCC cheerleading team is primed and ready to cheer on their school—and they can’t wait to share that spirit with everyone in Scooba!
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
East Mississippi Community College Announces New Cheer Team
Changes in East Mississippi Community College Cheerleading Squad
Additional Resources
- C Dispatch: EMCC Cheerleading Team Announcement
- Wikipedia: Cheerleading
- Meridian Star: EMCC Cheerleading Team Announcement
- Google Search: East Mississippi Community College cheerleading
- Red Hills MS News: New EMCC Head Cheer Coach
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Cheerleading
- Meridian Star: Sarah Thompson Named New Head Cheerleading Coach
- Google News: Cheerleading News
Author: STAFF HERE STARKVILLE WRITER
The STARKVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREstarkville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Starkville, Oktibbeha County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Cotton District Arts Festival, Bulldog Bash, and Mississippi State University homecoming celebrations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Starkville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Mississippi State University Extension Service, plus leading businesses in education and agriculture that power the local economy such as Mississippi State University and Starkville Manufacturing. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Mississippi's dynamic landscape.
