The Cincinnati Enquirer is offering the final The Spirit Award voting poll for 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
Madison Finn, South Dearborn High School – The junior is a member of the varsity cheerleading squad as well as the competition team. Madison is a hardworking athlete who consistently brings a positive attitude and strong work ethic to everything she does. She is always willing to lend a helping hand to her teammates, encourage others, and step outside her comfort zone to try new things. No matter the challenge, Madison approaches it with a smile on her face and a willingness to learn and improve. What makes Madison special is her positive energy, kindness and dedication to her team. She leads by example and demonstrates what it truly means to be a supportive teammate. Madison is a wonderful representation of South Dearborn Cheerleading and is very deserving of this recognition!
Kennadi McQueary, Goshen – As a senior, she consistently demonstrates exceptional dedication, leadership and a strong work ethic both in the classroom and on the sidelines. She excels academically while balancing the demands of our varsity and competition cheer squads, dedicating countless hours to our program. Beyond her own commitments, she generously gives her time to support and mentor younger athletes in our youth cheer program. Her positive attitude, commitment to excellence, and willingness to go above and beyond make her an outstanding role model. She truly embodies what it means to be a student-athlete and is incredibly deserving of this recognition!
Kiley Winterman, Conner High School – This athlete shows grace, strength, grit, and determination in everything she does. She takes a beating at practices and just keeps on going. She is also a great student, peer, mentor and friend. Kiley consistently goes above and beyond in every aspect of her life. She is a good, kind human with a tremendous work ethic and positive attitude. We are lucky to have her on our team.
Spirit Award - Teams
Conner Cougars Varsity Competition Team – This team has really come together and fought hard at their first competition. They have been working consistently since the summer to better their skills and perfect their craft. They improved by 12 whole points from last season to this season on the score sheet. They all work beautifully together and will only get better and stronger. We are so proud of their performance and can’t wait to see what the rest of the season brings! Roll Cougs!!
Goshen High School Cheer Program – Our cheerleaders demonstrate incredible dedication, teamwork and school spirit, proudly cheering on our varsity football team to an impressive 8-0 record! They devote countless hours to practices in the gym, supporting our athletes on the sidelines, and giving back to the community through service opportunities such as distributing water at National Night Out and volunteering at concession stands. Beyond their commitment to cheerleading, these student-athletes consistently go above and beyond to spread joy, encourage others, and represent Goshen with pride. They truly embody what it means to be a Warrior, making a positive impact both within our school and throughout our community. We could not be prouder of this incredible group of student-athletes!
Middletown High School cheerleading squad – The squad exemplifies what it truly means to be scholar-athletes, leaders and ambassadors of school spirit. These student-athletes demonstrate an outstanding commitment not only to their sport, but also to their academics, school, and community. Beyond cheerleading, they generously volunteer their time with the Middletown youth cheerleaders, support local community events, and actively participate in organizations such as Hope Squad and Rise Leadership Academy. Their dedication to serving others while balancing the demands of academics, athletics, and extracurricular activities is a true reflection of their character and leadership. What makes this squad so special is the respect, positivity, and sportsmanship they display both on and off the mat. They cheer with passion, support one another, respect their competitors, and represent Middletown High School with pride. Their love for the sport goes far beyond the routines and performances; it is reflected in the way they encourage others, build lasting connections, and give back to the community that supports them. As their first-year coach, I could not be prouder of this incredible group of young women. Coaching them has been an honor, and I am truly grateful for the opportunity to work with such a dedicated, compassionate, and inspiring squad. They remind me that the true meaning of spirit is not simply how loudly you cheer, but how you lead, serve, encourage, and represent others every day. Middletown High School cheerleading is a wonderful example of school spirit in action, and this squad is incredibly deserving of recognition for the positive impact they make both within their school and throughout the community.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Vote for The Enquirer's Oct. 26 Spirit Award honoring cheer, dance
