Cheerleading - Macon East Academy

Macon East JV Cheer Shines at Summer Camp

Congratulations to our Macon East JV Cheer Team for an outstanding week at cheer camp! The team’s energy, determination, and school spirit led to a series of remarkable achievements and statewide recognition.

Three cheerleaders—Bella Ann Spires, Gillie Phillips, and Ella Loughridge—were named All-American Honorees, celebrating their exceptional talent and performance. Bella Ann Spires was also selected as a “Pin It Forward” recipient, an honor recognizing leadership, positivity, and kindness.

The team dominated in competition, bringing home multiple top awards, including:

1st Place – Cheer
1st Place – Sideline
1st Place – Overall Game-Day
Small JV State Champions

We are incredibly proud of this talented group for representing Macon East with excellence, sportsmanship, and heart. Go Knights!

Beth Nesbitt2026-05-28T14:57:41+00:00September 1st, 2025|Blog, Cheerleading, News and Events|0 Comments

Macon East Cheerleaders Excel at AISA Cheer Camp

The Macon East cheerleaders had an amazing time this past week at AISA cheer camp at Troy University. They grew their skills and grew even closer as a team. We are so proud of their hard work and accomplishments!

Varsity placed 2nd in their sideline performance and placed 5th in cheer. The JV team took home the superior award.

AISA All-Stars: Alexis Davis, Katie Kitchens, and Shamaiah Thomas

Varsity All-American: Alexis Davis

JV All-Americans: Ava Noffsinger, Gillie Phillips, Bella Ann Spires, Sophie Clark, and Avery Wilhoit

Pin-it-forward award for great character and leadership, given by the UCA staff: Alexis Davis

Jump off finalist: Katie Kitchens

Second round of jump off: Sophie Clark

Our teams took home the final day banana. The Top Banana is the physical embodiment of what it means to attend UCA camp. The Top Banana is rewarded to the teams at camp that demonstrate qualities of leadership, spirit and the overall ability to work hard while still having a blast! This accomplishment made the week that much better!

Huge thank you to all those who came out to support the girls on Thursday. Thank you to the parents who made this week possible and thank you to our Cheer Coaches, Kindall Bishop and Summer Kyser.

Beth Nesbitt2024-06-25T15:46:36+00:00June 25th, 2024|Blog, Cheerleading, News and Events|0 Comments

2023 AISA All-Star Football Game

Two Macon East student-athletes were honored to participate in the 2023 AISA All-Star Football game held November 30 at Cramton Bowl. Barrett Spaeth represented Macon East for the East team. Kaiden Byrom cheered the East team on from the sidelines as part of the all-star cheerleading squad. She was an All-Star scholarship recipient receiving a $500 scholarship in recognition of her hard work and leadership on and off the field.

Beth Nesbitt2023-12-11T21:02:21+00:00December 11th, 2023|Blog, Cheerleading, Football, High School, News and Events|0 Comments

Watson Chosen as Alumni Staff Member at HOBY

Congratulations to Junior, 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗮 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝘀𝗼𝗻, on being chosen to be an alumni staff member at the Hugh O Brien Youth Leadership conference on the campus of Troy University this summer. Alumni staff members work with the seminar operations team, lead ambassadors in energizers, and perform support activities throughout the Alabama HOBY seminar weekend. We are so proud to have Anna be selected and to represent Macon East!

Beth Nesbitt2023-02-02T18:57:35+00:00February 2nd, 2023|Blog, Cheerleading, High School, News and Events|0 Comments

Congratulations to our 2022 AISA All-Star football players and cheerleaders!

Eight Macon East student-athletes were honored to participate in the 2022 AISA All-Star Football game held December 2 at Cramton Bowl. Deonte Powell, Sanders Manning, Gabe Spencer and Hunter Tillman all represented Macon East for the East team. Gabe Spencer was honored as Most Outstanding Offensive Back for the East team. Madison May, Ar’monni Payne, Hannah Kate Hodges and Mikalah Belser cheered the East team on from the sidelines as part of the all-star cheerleading squad. The participants enjoyed a few days of practice with their fellow AISA teammates. The East team beat the West team this year 36-22.

Beth Nesbitt2022-12-12T20:10:51+00:00December 12th, 2022|Blog, Cheerleading, Football, News and Events|0 Comments

MEA Cheerleaders Shine!

The Macon East cheerleaders joyfully participated in the Night to Shine “Shine thru” and they showed up and shined! They were cheerleaders, dance partners, smile makers, red carpet walkers and they brought energy and spirit as they encouraged each participant to shine bright at this event.

Front Row: Hendley Culpepper, Ali Churchwell, Madison May, Katie Kitchens, Alexis Davis and Rachel Major.
Back Row: Hannah Kate Hodges, Coach Summer Kyser, Lathan Johnson, Kacy Rutland, Payton Underwood, Anna Watson and Kaiden Byrom.

Beth Nesbitt2022-02-18T16:18:48+00:00February 18th, 2022|Blog, Cheerleading, High School, News and Events|0 Comments

Hendley Culpepper – Bullock County Distinguished Young Woman!

Macon East senior, Hendley Culpepper, recently won the Bullock County Distinguished Young Women and a $1,000 scholarship. Distinguished Young Women of Alabama is part of a national scholarship program that promotes and rewards scholarship, leadership, and talent in young women. Hendley was also awarded additional scholarships for winning the fitness, self-expression, talent, scholastics, and interview categories. We congratulate Hendley on her accomplishments and look forward to her competing in the next level of the competition.

Beth Nesbitt2021-10-05T19:33:38+00:00October 5th, 2021|Blog, Cheerleading, High School, News and Events|0 Comments

CHEERLEADERS ATTEND UCA CAMP AT TROY UNIVERSITY

The Macon East Academy varsity and junior varsity cheer squads recently competed at Troy University at UCA cheer camp. Cheerleaders from all AISA (Alabama Independent School Association) schools attended for a week full of instruction and competition. Both Macon East squads had some unfortunate events prior to and during the week but pushed through as champion cheerleaders would representing their school and coaches well. The Junior Varsity squad brought home 5^th place in situational sideline. The Varsity squad came home with the Superior Award. Both Junior Varsity and Varsity squads received superior ribbons for their camp dance and cheer.

Two Macon East cheerleaders were selected as UCA All-American Cheerleaders: Katie Kitchens (Junior Varsity) and Kaiden Byrom (Varsity). Senior, Hendley Culpepper, was chosen as AISA All-Star and will cheer in the upcoming AISA senior All-Star football and basketball games in Montgomery. Hendley Culpepper received UCA’s coveted “Pin It Forward” honors from the camp staff for her leadership, spirit, and motivation.

Three Macon East cheerleaders participated in the jump off competition. Katie Kitchens represented the JV, while Hannah Kate Hodges and Lathan Johnson participated in the Varsity division. Both Katie and Lathan made it to the second round of the jump off competition. Special thanks to the MEA cheer coaches, Summer Kyser and Kindall Bishop, for their hard work and dedication throughout the summer practices and camp. Congratulation’s girls, we are super proud of you!

Beth Nesbitt2021-07-14T19:41:45+00:00July 14th, 2021|Blog, Cheerleading, News and Events|0 Comments

MEA CHEERLEADERS PARTICIPATE IN VIRTUAL READING PEP RALLY

Macon East Academy varsity cheerleaders were able to celebrate with Short the Squirrel on his 1st birthday. SHORT the Squirrel is a non-profit founded in 2020 and was created after a Mobile County Assistant District Attorney, saw young children spending large unoccupied blocks of time in the courtroom. Short the Squirrel is a mechanism to fill the gap with “edutainment”. The Macon East Academy cheerleaders participated in the 30-minute celebration by participating in a pep rally for reading to the targeted audience of first graders. The girls were excited to bring the program to life and help encourage the love of reading. More information about Short the Squirrel or anyone who wished to follow his adventures can visit: https://shortthesquirrel.com/

Pictured: Troy University mascot, Ar’monni Payne, Hannah Kate Hodges, Short the Squirrel, Austin Gorman, Rachel Major, and Hendley Culpepper

Beth Nesbitt2021-02-16T18:55:52+00:00February 16th, 2021|Blog, Cheerleading, News and Events|0 Comments

SIX STUDENT-ATHLETES REPRESENT MACON EAST IN AISA ALL STAR FOOTBALL GAME

Macon East Academy was represented by four football players and two cheerleaders at the 2020 Alabama Independent School Association All-Star Football game at Montgomery’s Cramton Bowl on Friday, December 4. Eric Lawson, Stone Yarnell, Kirkland Pugh and Lane Goree were chosen to participate for the East squad in this year’s contest. The East defeated the West 34-32 and Kirkland Pugh received the Most Outstanding Defensive Back award. MEA Varsity cheerleaders, Mary Hunter Wright and Mary Lawson Norton were on the sidelines as part of the AISA East All-Star cheer squad. The game was a chance for the senior athletes to showcase their talents and participate with some of the best athletes in the AISA and leave their high school football careers on a high note.

Beth Nesbitt2021-02-16T18:17:56+00:00February 16th, 2021|Blog, Cheerleading, Football, News and Events|0 Comments