The Cincinnati Enquirer is pleased to offer The Spirit Award voting poll for weekly recognition of cheerleaders, dance team members and their squads.
Much like the popular athlete of the week voting, school fans and friends can vote on two weekly ballots (individual and team) for The Spirit Award. Only coaches can provide nominations each week, either for their squads or other teams.
Eligible are varsity girls and boys cheerleaders and dancers who exemplify the fruits of the spirit ‒ love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control – while uplifting their squads, the student body and others.
Team nominations focus on squads that come together to help each other, work hard, do things right that week, show
outstanding virtues when dealing with or serving others, exceed expectations to prepare something special for the school or take part in any other honorable reason they might be acknowledged.
Voting lasts until 4 p.m. on Fridays, when winners will be announced with a story. They will receive digital certificates and can share a photo with those certificates for an upcoming gallery. Email prepsports@enquirer.com or aharrison@enquirer.com to receive the certificate.
Coaches can email mlaughman@enquirer.com with questions, to join the email distribution list and submit nominations. The deadline is every Monday by noon.
Here are this week's ballots, with athletes and teams nominated by their coaches:
Spirit Award - Individuals
Ava Beckley, Conner High School – She shows up and gives 110% at every practice, every game, and every event. She has consistently demonstrated a positive attitude, leadership, team player, kindness, & a willingness to do whatever is needed to benefit the team. Her work ethic is second to none. No matter what, Ava will always show up with a smile and a great attitude. We are proud to have Ava as a Conner High School Cheerleader!
Alyssa Caldwell, South Dearborn High School - The sophomore varsity cheerleader is a dedicated member of both our competition and sideline squads. Alyssa is actively involved in her school community and takes pride in representing South Dearborn. Alyssa is hardworking and brings a positive attitude to practices and games. She is a supportive teammate who encourages others and is always willing to step up when needed.
Brielle Dozier, Gamble Montessori - The senior is an amazing leader in and outside of school. She is a straight-A student who shows spirit, leadership and integrity on and off the field.
Lexie Grimes, Middletown High School – The varsity senior treats her peers, teachers, and teammates with the utmost respect and kindness. She is a hard-working athlete who consistently delivers great skill and sportsmanship. She is helpful to her team, as well as her coach. I appreciate having her on the team as she defines what it is to be a scholar-athlete.
Maya Hoffman, Milford High School - Maya is the vibrant heart of our squad, effortlessly pairing a hilariously funny personality with a deeply loving soul. She uses her bubbly, lighthearted humor to bring instant joy and a sense of peace to everyone around her. Whether she is making the team laugh after a long practice or rallying the student body, she always has everyone laughing and immediately makes people feel welcome. Beneath all her delightfully high-energy spirit is a leader who truly models what it means to care for others. She pours love and kindness into her teammates, showing incredible patience, gentleness, and goodness even in high-stress moments.
Serenity Hawkins, Taylor High School - I am proud to nominate Serenity Hawkins for this award because of the incredible growth and maturity she has demonstrated over the past year. The change in Serenity has been significant, and the coaching staff has watched her develop into a more dedicated, confident, and responsible athlete. She has grown from focusing on her own development to recognizing the importance of helping her teammates grow as well. That maturity and willingness to step up have made a noticeable impact on our team. We are extremely proud of how far Serenity has come and the leader she is becoming. She is truly deserving of this recognition.
Ella Myers, Newport Central Catholic High School - Ella led her team with grace during NCC's historic first home football game. Love, joy, patience, and kindness- all qualities that easily describe Ella. She is creative and trustworthy. She is the heart of the team and never lacking in love or support for the sport or her teammates. She challenges and guides. She is always willing to help her coaches and provide assistance to her underclassmen. NCC is blessed to have her on their roster.
Audrey Steinke, Lakota East – The varsity squad senior is an invaluable asset, particularly when teaching dances. She has a remarkable talent for listening to the band and quickly remembering dance routines that complement the music. In addition, Audrey is an outstanding teacher who excels at instructing her teammates on cheers and ensuring everyone feels confident and prepared. Her creativity and leadership make her a tremendous contributor to the team.
Spirit Award - Teams
Cincinnati Country Day - The Cincinnati Country Day Cheerleaders are so much more than a team on the sidelines; they are a team that brings our entire school community together, and Homecoming Week was the perfect example of that spirit in action! Throughout Homecoming Week, our cheerleaders went above and beyond to build excitement and create a sense of community across campus. They made special goodie bags for all of our fall-season athletes, decorated school common areas, and even transformed the football locker room into a fully decorated Homecoming space for our football players. On Homecoming Game Day, our cheerleaders kicked off the celebration with spirit tunnels, welcoming students and faculty members to school and filling the campus with energy. They brought that same enthusiasm to the Homecoming pep rally. Two of our cheerleaders even performed with the pep band during the rally while several members joined the CCDS Community Choir and helped sing the National Anthem that evening at pregame. Our cheerleaders continue participating in the Country Day community in countless ways. We have members of our school’s fall play, many multi-sport student-athletes in tennis, golf, soccer, and volleyball while cheering football on, and more! Our squad captains also launched a new Spirit Club this year, creating another opportunity for students throughout the school to get involved, build school spirit, and cheer on their classmates. And their commitment doesn’t stop with their own team. Our cheerleaders regularly volunteer at youth cheer practices, encouraging and mentoring our younger athletes and helping build the next generation of Nighthawk spirit. The Cincinnati Country Day Cheerleaders embody what it means to be an incredible student-athlete. They lead, serve, encourage, participate, and show up for their school community in so many ways. They don’t just cheer for Country Day—they help create the spirit and community that makes Country Day special.
Conner High School Varsity Dance Team – The girls are nominated for their outstanding leadership, community engagement, and positive impact on our school culture. This past week, our varsity Cougars went above and beyond by hosting our annual cougars mini dance camp . The varsity athletes didn't just teach choreography; they served as incredible role models, mentors, and sources of encouragement for all of our young mini camp attendees. The dedication, patience, and inclusive spirit our team showed to these aspiring young dancers perfectly embodies what leadership and community virtues are all about. Through events like this mini camp, the Conner Varsity Dance Team continues to build a positive, supportive environment that uplifts both our school and the wider Northern Kentucky community. They truly deserve to be recognized for their hard work and big hearts.
East Central Varsity Cheer Squad – According to their coach Tammy Hensley, the squad consists of 14 amazingly talented girls on and off the mats. They not only accepted a new coaching staff, but also jumped on board, embracing new ideas and being willing to not just try but give their all while doing so. Just this past week, they hosted roughly 200 young girls, ranging in ages 5-13, to cheer 3 of the 4 quarters of our home game. To prepare for that, they hosted not just a Pee Wee Cheer Clinic, but also a Pee Wee COACH Clinic to help the volunteer coaches better prepare our future cheerleaders. This was all well thought out and executed over the summer. Besides teaching others, they've embraced all of our traveling cheerleaders for opposing teams by offering small gifts with notes of encouragement. This past week, all the girls had the same USA hair bow in remembrance of September 11th. The girls aren’t just taking pride in the team they represent. They are showing pride in their entire community. Through working with young girls, supporting and respecting their coaches, and encouraging opposing teams and their cheer squads, they are demonstrating what it truly means to be a leader. They are using their platform to spread positivity, build others up, and make a difference both on and off the sidelines.
Lakota East Cheerleaders – A huge congratulations to our Lakota East Cheer Squads for an outstanding job at the Homecoming Pep Rally! Your energy, enthusiasm, and school spirit helped make the event a memorable success for our students and staff. Our cheerleaders do so much more than lead cheers on Friday nights. They proudly support all East sports and activities, encouraging our athletes, students, and school community throughout the year. Whether it's football, basketball, volleyball, soccer, wrestling, or any other Hawk event, they are there promoting school pride and creating a positive atmosphere. Thank you for your dedication, commitment, and countless hours of hard work. We are proud of the way you represent East both on and off the field. Keep bringing the spirit and showing everyone what it means to be a Hawk!
Miami Valley Christian Academy Varsity Cheer Squad - This squad demonstrated that true spirit is about much more than cheers, loud voices, and school pride—it is about showing the fruits of the Spirit through their words, actions, and attitudes throughout the entire game. From the opening whistle to the final play, our cheerleaders displayed love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. They encouraged their team with positive energy, supported one another, showed respect to the opposing team and officials, and never stopped cheering—even when the game became challenging. Their enthusiasm was contagious! They rallied the crowd, lifted up their players, and continued to cheer with passion and perseverance until the very end. Their encouragement helped create an atmosphere of unity, excitement, and belief that helped propel their team to victory. Most importantly, these cheerleaders understood that their purpose extends beyond the sidelines. They represented their school and their faith by allowing their light to shine through their attitudes, teamwork, and encouragement. For their outstanding sportsmanship, faith, enthusiasm, teamwork, and ability to inspire their team and crowd, I proudly nominate the MVCA Cheer Squad for the Spirit Award! “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” — Galatians 5:22-23
Winton Woods High School Varsity Cheer team - The Winton Woods Varsity Cheer team is an extremely talented group of young ladies who work hard to represent their school and team. They are the definition of student-athletes, with many of them attaining high honor roll yearly, earning college credits in high school, and being mentors to the community.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Vote for The Enquirer's Sept. 29 Spirit Award honoring cheer, dance
