By DONNA THORNTON, Editor
Albertville High School’s state and national Championship cheer squad assembled last week to crown a stellar competition season with some bling.
The team received its national championship rings in a May 31 ceremony that included speeches, receiving keys to the city from Albertville Mayor Tracy Honea and a check from Rep. Brock Colvin to help cover the cost of the rings.
And best of all, they had a crowd to cheer them on as they opened the boxes containing their rings together and got the first chance to see perhaps the most tangible memento of their championship season.
“What a year it has been,” Superintendent Bart Reeves said. He recalled his first meeting in March 2025 with head cheer coach Jeromy Shaw, as AHS was looking for someone to lead its cheer program. Shaw brought an inches-thick three-ring binder, had a plan and cheers already to go.
“That was the first day I learned about ‘Fear the Hydrant,’” he said, to give the squad a local community tie to take with them to competitions. The coach had a timeline and goals to meet.
“I don’t know if anyone … could foresee going from not having a competition squad to winning a state and eventually a national championship in the same year,” Reeves said. “It was evident that he was going to be the next cheerleader coach for Albertville High School.”
The “positive vibes” in the cheer program became evident quickly. “Pep rallies – you could feel a different vibe when the cheerleaders came out,” he said.
And there were championships, first at state, then in January, at nationals in Orlando.
“They were not there on vacation. They were not there on some nice get-away to Orlando. They were there to win it all,” he said. Reeves said it was a great three-days in Orlando, seeing coaches Shaw, Tanika Colvin and Mary Grace Hand and as they pursued the title.
Albertville Principal Steven Hudgins offered his praise for the students and their coaches, as well. He recalled the zoom meeting with assistant coach Colvin. When it ended, he said, he thought, “That’s Mama Bear.”
“We were able to get two phenomenal individuals,” Hudgins said, then in the summer, they added Hand and the program was set. Soon, they started seeing videos posted with the impressive work and obvious expectations coaches had set for the squad, he said.
He praised, also, the way the football team, students and community showed their support for the cheerleaders as they worked toward their championships.
“I will forever remember the moment they called out Albertville as the state champions. That’s something nobody can ever take away from you. You are the first state champions at Albertville High School.”
At the national championships, Hudgins said he and Reeves sat facing the cheerleaders, and they got to see the joy on their faces when they realized they’d won. “I hope one day you are in my shoes, to get to watch somebody the way we got to watch you.”
Colvin offered his congratulations and praise for the squad’s outstanding season, and presented funds to help with the cost of the rings, and on behalf of Gov. Kay Ivey, presented a resolution passed by the state Legislature recognizing the team.
Mayor Tracy Honea presented the girls, coaches and administrators with keys to city.
“It’s been tremendous,” he said, for the squad to bring these titles back to the community.
He praised all involved for their “can-do” attitude, something that started with Reeves.
After the keys were presented, it was time for the rings.
The squad’s coaches presented each cheerleader, Reeves and Hudgins with a box and they opened them together to get their first glimpse of the rings, featuring an Albertville Aggie-style “A.”
Team members show off their rings. Photo by DONNA THORNTON l The Leader
