“We’re back and black, orange and white victory is ours tonight.Yell Powell … Panthers …  black … orange and white. Powell … Panthers … black … orange and white … black … orange and white!”

The Powell High School cheerleaders traveled along with the school’s dance team to Casper for the state spirit competition. The competition took place at the Casper Events Center on March 7.

The cheer squad placed 10th with their non-stunt routine and seventh with their stunt routine, while the dance team ended up fifth with their jazz routine.

“I was extremely proud of how the girls competed! “ Coach Mrs. Vicki Walsh said. “I couldn’t have asked for a more fun group of young ladies to work with.”

The cheerleaders took part in the 3A non-stunt and stunt competitions. The squad of nine girls included: Addie Miller, Mariah Phister, Alyssa Gould, Gracie McLain, Kalli Ashby, Kaitlyn Decker, Kailey Jurado, Scarlette Mendoza and Brilee Keeler. They had been preparing since January for this day. The girls were coaches by Walsh and Assistant Coach Mrs. Cindy Jacobs.

“Our team has worked many hours and performed the routines multiple times in front of people,” Miller said. “We really left it all out on the floor.”

Added Mrs. Walsh: “We may have not been the first place team but I know we are the best team.”

The dance team includes: Delaney Jackson, Mady Riedinger, Mckenzie Sterns, Kelly Pappenfort, Rylee Ramsey Jasmine James and Ashlyn Guerrero. The girls were coached by Mrs. Victoria Danovsky.

“We performed the best we have all year and we put all we had out on the floor,” Rylee Ramsey said. “The girls worked tremendously hard all season. They gave it their all and that’s all we asked for. The competition was hard but the girls handled it very well. It was a great season.”