Friday afternoon, the Barton Community College Spirit Squad visited Riley Elementary.  They were there to reinforce this year’s motivational theme, “Learners Today, Leaders Tomorrow.”  Principal JoAnn Blevins worked with a group of hand-picked student leaders before students arrived in the lunchroom for the assembly, instructing them on how students would be seated.  Then, as students arrived, class by class, her helpers jumped into action, making sure the kids stayed in straight lines with the proper amount of space between.  The close quarters were necessary because the group would need plenty of room to perform.
The squad is made up of both the BCC Cheerleaders and the BCC Danceline.  Both are coached by Amanda Schnoebelen.  Blevins added that some of the members had once attended Riley Elementary school. Several of the team members talked about qualities that helped them as they went through elementary through high school, and that make it possible for them to excel in college today.
Georgia Zimmerman, Great Bend, talked about dedication, and how it’s easy to be dedicated if you love what you do.  Leo Espino, Great Bend, the yell leader, advised students to set goals and they will take you anywhere you want to go.  Others talked about motivation, inspiration, failure, commitment, priorities, hard work, and teamwork.  Then, they put it all together with performances by both the danceline and the cheerleaders.  
After, Blevins spoke to the kids, telling them if they worked hard, someday they could be up there.  
“Does this look like something you could do?” she asked.  Surprisingly, the kids answered back with a resounding “No!”  
“Okay,” Blevins said, recovering.  “Yeah, this is probably not something you should do right now, but how about in the future?  Do any of you think you would like to dance or cheer like this?”
This time, the answer was a resounding “Yes!”  
(See videos of cheer and dance  performances.)