Thirteen girls.

The thirteen come to the mat with all different levels of experience. Some have participated in gymnastics or competitive cheer since they could walk. Some have cheered since Junior High. Some have never cheered at all.Some are there because they love the sport and some are there for the friendships. They all have one thing in common: to cheer for their CCA Cougars and boost school spirit.

Varsity Cheer is a year round sport. The cheerleaders try out in March and begin practice in April. They go to camp in the summer and work hard every single week. They practice cheers, paint signs, greet families on the first day of school, lead pep rallies, cheer at football games, help serve at Donuts with Dad, work with younger girls for Cub Cheer, cheer at basketball games, and serve the school in various ways throughout the year.

Behind the scenes, tucked away in an off-campus gym, Head Coach Amanda Hyde leads these same 13 girls in practice daily for something else - their competitive routine for the TAPPS State Cheer Competition.

These girls cheer for others all year long. In January, others showed up to cheer for them and the results were inspiring!

What began as a pep rally for the basketball and soccer teams along with an opportunity for the cheerleaders to show their competition routine to the school, ended in a special time of prayer over these 13 girls as they were leaving for State. The same athletic teams they cheer on week after week, sent them off with prayer and goodie bags filled with surprises for their road trip to Temple, Texas.

Once they were on the bus to leave, Head Football Coach Eric Anderson, loaded the bus to encourage them and wish them the best. The surprises and support didn’t end there.

Over the next two days of competition, multiple people made the 2-hour drive to support the cheerleaders and cheer for them. Head Track Coach Dennis Harris (who has won State with his track teams numerous years) drove the bus for the girls and was able to share his best tips for winning State. Coach Anderson and Coach Harris were there to watch the girls take the mat for their first day of competition. The 13 girls were cheered on not just by their own parents, but by many others including CCA parents, students, faculty and fans, Athletic Director Rusty Beam, and even alumni who drove there to support the team.

Meanwhile, back in Colleyville, the competition was broadcast throughout campus on all of the lobby televisions and the screens in the gym so the faculty and students could watch the 13 compete. Following each routine, the girls would receive texts and messages of encouragement from those watching back home.

At the end of the competition, the girls WON STATE!

But more than that, these 13 girls felt loved and supported by those they cheer for throughout the year. They were actually the ones being cheered on and they were almost speechless. THAT is Family! That is Covenant.

The same day these 13 won state, they came back to cheer for the basketball team . . . because that’s what family does.