Community is already proud

Another week, another reason to be proud.
On Aug. 2, the Jay County High School Marching Patriots competed at Indiana State Fair’s Band Day. We knew even before the competition began we would be proud of their effort.
Today, it’s the cheerleaders’ turn. And we can’t help but feel the same way, for many of the same reasons.
Like the band, Jay County’s cheerleaders — at the high school as well as East Jay and West Jay middle schools — have a long tradition of excellence.
JCHS has won seven Indiana State Fair cheerleading championships at the varsity level. Two of those have come in the last three years — 2010 and ’12 — and the Patriots were also runners-up in 2011.
That level of success comes only because of tremendous dedication to the program, from top to bottom.
It starts with coach Mindy Weaver, who is in her 35th year leading the Patriots. It continues through her assistant coaches Jenni Stout, Andrea Oswalt and Abby Champ, and all of those who have helped her throughout the years.
It comes from strong feeder programs at both East Jay and West Jay, and from parents who drive their kids to and from practices.
And, most importantly, the success comes because of the girls, who give up hours and hours of their summer to work for a chance to achieve something special on this one Saturday in August.
We know how much time and effort you’ve given in order to reach your goals. We hope you bring back yet another state title.
Just know as you take the mat today, you have already made your community proud. —R.C.[[In-content Ad]]