On the night of the boys home basketball against Bear Lake, the Dragonette and Dragon Cheerleaders took time to celebrate the outgoing seniors this year.

Seniors a part of the Dragonette drill team this year are Alexis Shaw, Rayleigh Barnes, and Hunter Olsen.  The seniors had a chance to share some highlights and favorites from their time as a Malad Dragonette.  Alexis Shaw said that her favorite dance style was hip hop, that her favorite memory was winning the District Dance Competition when she was a Sophomore, and that the greatest lesson she learned from her time dancing was to make the most from every moment because things might not always go as you had hoped.

Rayleigh Barnes shared that her favorite style of dance was contemporary and her favorite place to perform was under the lights at the football games.  Her favorite part of competing were the dance parties they would have before the awards ceremonies and the greatest lesson she learned was how every situation may be different, some will be harder than others, but they can all be overcome.

Hunter Olsen plans to attend ISU to earn a certification as a Physical Therapy Assistant.  While there she wants to try out for the ISU Bengals Dance team.  She gives kudos to her parents, coaches and teammates for helping push her to be her best these last four years.

The seniors and their teammates are looking forward to the coming weekend where they will compete with all four routines at the State Dance Competition. The 2A/3A teams are scheduled to perform bright and early Saturday morning in Boise at the Idaho Ford Center. 

Looking back over the season and ahead to their upcoming competition, the coaches want to share with their team, “We are so proud of you girls and wish you the best of luck!! Love you coaches Kelsey, Wendy, & Wendy!!”

Alongside the Dragonnetes, Coach Jennifer Hill celebrated seven graduating senior cheerleaders- Graycee Goddard, Becca Ward, Journie Tovey, Rylie Walton, Kaysha Beck, Kayanna Kunz and Jaecee Jeppesen.  As they honored the seniors, they shared favorite moments, future plans, and thank you the girls wanted to share to coaches, parents, friends and fans.

Becca Ward plans after graduation are to attend ISU or Utah Tech majoring in Nursing to become a RN. If her schedule will work she would also like to tryout for the ISU Cheer Team. Her favorite memory of cheer is when the team got sunburnt at the car wash and decided to all go swim at Devils together after.

Jaecee Jeppesen wants to go to Bridgerland in Logan earn her Heavy Equipment Operator license and CDL. Her favorite memory of cheer has been learning to stunt with James, Kaysha, Kayanna, Kala, and Sam. 

Graycee Goddard plans to attend Idaho State University to major in Dental Hygiene. Her favorite cheer memory is when she lost Journie’s ponytail because Kirk went too hard while they went tubing. 

Kaysha Beck plans to attend college to become a nurse or school counselor. She hopes to share her experiences and skills by either trying out for a college cheer team or coach tumbling. She says her favorite memories with the cheer team were going to the corn maze in fall, flipping the tube in the coaches boat with Rylie, getting together at coaches house, and competing at state last year.

Kayanna Kunz first intends to work for a while before attending Bridgerland Technical College for Interior Design.  Kayanna shared that her senior has been the best one, in thanks to her coaches and teammates.

Rylie Walton plans to attend Idaho State University to major in Elementary Education. Rylie’s favorite cheer memory is the fun bus rides up to state from the last two years. 

Journie Tovey plans to attend the University of Idaho to major in animal sciences to become a veterinarian.   Her favorite cheer memory is when she and Anistyn were learning how to partner stunt when her mom said, “That’s easy, I can do it.”  Anistyn said, “Prove it.” Her mom then proceeded to attempt to partner stunt with my Anistyn and they both ended up falling on the floor! Journie finished, “My mom never questioned Anistyn and my partner stunt ever again.”

The Dragon Cheerleading Team heads to Boise this weekend as well to compete in the 2A/3A Cheer Competition on the morning of Friday, February 11.