From STAFF REPORTS

AMERICUS – Southland Academy recently held tryouts for the school’s 2017-18 cheerleading squad. Both the varsity and junior varsity squads who will be cheering on the Raiders and Lady Raiders next season were recently selected.
Members of the 2017-18 junior varsity cheerleading team are as follows: Up-coming eighth graders Lydia Anne Love, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jason Love of Americus and Averi Smith, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Deke Smith of Americus.
Up-coming seventh graders Ella Arnold, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bob Arnold of Americus; Scarlett Carey, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ben Carey of Americus; Lainey Collier, daughter of Mr. Jamie Collier and Dr. Kristin Collier, both of Americus; Lily Haugabook, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Haugabook, Jr., of Montezuma; Anna Grace Horne, daughter of Mr. Greg Horne of Tifton and Mark and Marcie Erskine of Americus; Taylor Ragsdale, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Chet Ragsdale of DeSoto; Eva Grace Studdard, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Todd Studdard of Americus; and Tate Young, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Young of Americus.
This middle school squad is coached by Mrs. Shay Torbert and Mrs. Susan Welch.

Members of the 2017-18 Southland varsity cheerleading squad are as follows: Rising Senior Karson Duke, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Ray Duke, Jr. of Americus.
Rising Juniors Anslee Barnes, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Russ Barnes of Americus; Mary Catherine Dean, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Dean of Americus; Morgan Deriso, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Don Deriso of Americus; Kara Hubbard, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Steve Hubbard of Richland.
Rising Sophomores Ellie Barnes, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Russ Barnes of Americus; Maddy Copeland, daughter of Ms. Melanie Copeland of Americus; Leslie Anne Farr, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Farr of Americus; Emma Griffin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jayson Griffin of Americus; Sarah Murphy, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Murphy of Americus;  Parker Reeves, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Reeves of Americus; and Halley Kate Turner, daughter of Mr. Brian Turner and Ms. Jill Turner, both of Americus.
Rising Freshmen Sara Bass, daughter of Mr. Carson Jackson Bass, Jr., and Ms. Michelle Bass, both of Americus; Jordan Brehm, daughter of Mr. Rod Brehm of Calhoun and Ms. Danielle Huddleston and Mr. Clay Harvey of Leslie; Carson Clements, daughter of Mr. David Clements of Leesburg and Mr. and Mrs. Plez Hardin of Americus; Addison Starlin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ander Starlin of Americus; and Georgia Torbert, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Torbert of Americus.
Mrs. Susan Welch is the coach and advisor of the Varsity Cheerleaders.