The ninth annual Laurel Gymnastics and Cheer Back To School Pep Rally was held Saturday at the Sawmill Square Mall in Laurel. Cheerleading squads from flag football to high school groups were involved in the annual event.

Owner of Laurel Gymnastics Lorrie Dry’s believes that this event gives squads the chance to showcase their talents in front of the community. “We wanted to have an event to show what the squads could do in a non-competitive environment,” Dry said. “We just wanted this to be a fun day for all the squads in the area..”

Dry was also excited about the way the event has grown over the years. “Our first pep rally we had four squads participate,” she said. “In today’s event, we have 45 squads.”

Dry believes the popularity of cheerleading is one of the key things that has helped increase the numbers in the sport. “The growth in cheerleading is mainly because girls start cheering at a young age,” she said. “The high school squads get to compete all the time in different events. For these younger girls its there only chance to have somewhat of a competition.”

Vicente Moncivais, who has been with Laurel Gymnastics for the past 11 years, believes a people have a big misconception that cheerleaders just show up to cheer before games. “It takes a lot of discipline and hard work for these girls,” he said. “Its not as simple as going out to cheer for a football game on Friday night.”

Moncivais knows that cheerleaders have to stay in shape to be able to compete. “You have to stunt and tumble,” he said. “You also have to be very active in the gym to stay in shape.”

Moncivais knows that cheerleading is a very demanding sport. “It’s very time consuming and demanding,” he said. “ Squads put a lot of time and effort in preparing for events. We just thank the community for coming out and supporting the event.”

Groups participating Saturday included Myrick Flag Pee Wee and Youth, Calhoun Flag Pee Wee and Youth, Powers Flag Pee Wee and Youth, Laurel High School, Taylorsville High School, Ellisville Flag Pee Wee, and Youth,

Shady Grove Flag Pee Wee and Youth, Glade flag Pee Wee and Youth, SoSo Flag PeeWee and Youth, Shady Grove Flag Pee Wee Youth, Laurel Middle School, Heidelburg Academy Varsity and Junior Varsity, Roosevelt Flag PeeWee and Youth, Enterprise Junior High, South Jones High School and Junior High, Moselle Youth, Northeast Jones High School and Junior High, Southern Pride Seniors,West JonesHigh School and Junior High, Stringer High School and Junior High, Jones County Junior College, Hot Shots and the Xtreme Squad.