Cheerleading | 3/16/2016 10:12:00 AM

Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University Cheerleaders hosted their second annual Parents' Day Out Camp on Saturday, February 27 on the University's main campus. The Wingate Cheerleaders took a break from their Nationals Practices to host the camp with over 30 campers.
 
The campers learned two chants, a dance, and stunting before watching the first half of the Wingate-Anderson women's basketball game and performing at halftime. "It was a busy day full of energy," Wingate cheerleading head coach Kelly Sheppard says. "It was refreshing to break away from our daily routine of working on our Nationals routine and having the opportunity to spend time with our future Bulldog Cheerleaders. These young girls gave the team an extra lift to do everything it takes to prepare for Nationals the last few weeks."
 
The Bulldog cheerleaders wrap up their 2015-16 season up on Friday, March 18 as they compete in the Collegiate Medium Coed division at Cheer Ltd.-CANAM. Wingate will take the mat shortly after 6 p.m. at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center. Tryouts for the 2016-17 season will be held the weekend of April 15-17 in Cuddy Arena at Wingate University. For more information, contact cheer@wingate.edu.
 
Student Reflections
Parents' Day Out Camp

Trista Yow, Wingate University junior

"At the beginning, when the kids were still registering, I noticed a handful of girls who were hesitant and nervous about going inside to join the WU cheerleaders and the other kids. As these girls headed toward the rest of the group, the rest of the Wingate University cheerleaders also picked up on the shy nature of these girls. The cheerleaders decided to kick-off the camp with games to help the group get into the mood of the camp."
 
"As time passed, I noticed all the kids, especially the shy girls, come out of their shells and really get into the games. The kids made new friends and also made friends with the cheerleaders. We also saw children with no previous cheer experience…who were not afraid of learning the cheer and dance we taught them."
 
"During the women's basketball game, the children sat near the cheerleaders and we could see many of them trying to copy our cheers. At the women's halftime, we were able to see the kids perform the cheer and dance they had spent the morning learning. There were smiles all around…we could really tell the kids enjoyed performing. Seeing their faces light up during their performance put smiles on our faces for the rest of the women's and men's games."

"This camp was an amazing experience. We not only had great kids. but they were so eager to learn that we couldn't help but get excited to teach them. They wanted to learn new cheers and skills…they couldn't wait to show them off to us. It was amazing to see children fall in love with cheerleading the same way we fell in love with it. Seeing their eyes light up when we did a cheer or stunt, when they learned a new skill or when they performed, reminded me why I love the sport. It was a great experience to work with the same kids we see at football and basketball games, the same ones who are always asking for pictures. This camp really allowed us to get to know each child, so the next time we see them, whether at a football or basketball game, we'll be able to know each child personally and have memories to share."
 
Wingate University Cheerleading would like to give a special thanks to its 2016 Wingate Cheerleading National Sponsors:

McCollum Staffing, Inc. 
McCollum Trucking
MCT General Contractors
Simpson's Eggs, Inc. 
D&T Premier Homes, Inc. 
G&E Lawn Service
Center Stage Dance 
Thomas Farm
New Bridge Bank
Phoenix Land Surveying
Noreen Weber
Delann Rouno
US Tae Kwon Do Academy
Chad & Lisa Starnes
 
WINGATE UNIVERSITY
 
Wingate University, consistently ranked as a top 10 "best value" in the South by U.S. News & World Report, serves more than 3,100 students on three campuses in Wingate, Charlotte and Hendersonville, N.C. Founded in 1896, the University offers 35 undergraduate majors, 37 minors and career concentrations, numerous pre-professional programs, master's degrees in business, accounting, education, physician assistant studies and sport management and doctorates in pharmacy, physical therapy and education.
 
With a 15 to 1 student/teacher ratio, Wingate students gain the tools and support needed to excel in academics and apply that learning toward an extraordinary career and life. To view current news, video and story ideas, visit www.youtube.com/wingateuniversity. 
 
In addition to a robust intramural athletics program, Wingate student athletes compete in 22 NCAA Division II sports. The University has won the South Atlantic Conference Echols Athletic Excellence Award for the past nine years. For more information, go to www.wingate.edu.
 
Wingate is first among NCAA Division II Academic All-America®-producing colleges in the 2000's with 82 selections. Among North Carolina's colleges and universities, Wingate's 82 Academic All-America® honorees are number one during this millennium. Wingate's 91 lifetime Academic All-America® picks are tops among all SAC schools. For more information on WU athletics, go to www.wingatebulldogs.com.
 
(Thank you to Wingate University Cheerleading head coach Kelly Sheppard for submitting this article. It is published with her permission.)