Photo and story by Laura Holst.
   Ten of the Maple Valley Anthon Oto Ram Cheerleaders participated in the Iowa Cheerleading Competition in Des Moines on Saturday, November 1, 2008. The was the first year that MVAO participated in the state competition. The girls that attended were seniors: Ashley Haworth, Ally Jo Lloyd, Amanda Nelson, and Elizabeth Sturgeon, juniors: Ashley Clausen, Melanie Boysen, and Emily Larson, sophomore Augusta Nixon, and freshmen Ashley Buth and Halie Edgington.
   The girls participated in two stunt groups of five girls in the Small Group Stunt competition. The stunt groups had one minute to perform various stunts and transitions to music. They performed very well, hitting all of their stunts and keeping time with the beat
   The whole squad was involved in the Sideline Cheer portion of the competition. The goal of this section is to perform a crowd pleasing chant or cheer using motions and voice to motivate the crowd to cheer along. The Ram Cheerleaders did an excellent job cheering and were a crowd pleaser.
   Although the Ram Cheerleaders did not receive any awards at the competition, they all had fun and enjoyed the learning experience.
   Their coach Ms. Holst is quoted as saying, “I am very proud and pleased with how the girls performed today. I just wanted them to do their best and have fun.”
   The girls were driven down to Des Moines early that morning by Ms. Holst and Cheer Mom Darla Lloyd. They also had Lynn Buth along as a fan and for moral support. Ashley Haworth’s mom and family along with Ms. Holst’s son and his girlfriend showed up to cheer with and for the girls as well.