Eagles cheer squad joins relay

ready to relay:
The members of the newly formed cheerleading squad will be participating in the Relay for Life on Saturday, May 30 to raise money to fight cancer.

The newly-formed West Valley High School cheer squad will be pulling an all-nighter on May 30 when they participate in the Relay for Life, a fundraiser to fight cancer.

"It has been an awesome experience for the girls to get involved in their community, and give back to the community that has been so supportive of us," said cheer coach Mindy Odell.

"We've had some girls on the squad that have been touched by cancer in their own lives. Here at West Valley we've had students who have battled cancer, and we felt like it would be a great way to share some support and cheer on our community in another way," she said.

Eighteen girls have been chosen for the 2009-2010 cheer squad, and all eighteen will be participating in the Relay for Life.

The cheer squad made three sashes with the Relay for Life motto, "celebrate, remember and fight back."

"We've had our staff and students putting names of people they want to honor on our sashes," said Odell.

During the event, three of the cheerleaders will take turns wearing the sashes, keeping them all the field all night.

The cheer coach said the Relay for Life will not only give the cheer team an opportunity to support those affected by cancer, it will also be a bonding experience for the newly formed squad.

"Because it's so early in the season, it's the best moment for our girls to come together as a team for such an awesome cause," she said.

The fundraising for the team has been a little tough, said Odell, partly because of the economy, and partly because they have had only a month to raise money.

So far the team has held a coin drive at the school, and have a coin jar at Holiday Market in Cottonwood. They are also planning a car wash to raise funds.

"We know times are tough and we don't expect people to give a large donation, but at the same time we all have that spare change in our pockets that we can give," said Odell.

Community members who wish to donate online can find the West Valley cheer squads fundraising site at www.main.acsevents.org/goto/cheer-4-A-cure.

The Relay for Life takes place at Shasta College in Redding on May 30, 9 a.m., when members of each team will walk a portion of the 24-hour relay through to May 31 at 9 a.m.