Greenup County’s Finest
Four Cheerleaders Earn Spot
on Elite USA JAGS Team
By: Sherri Love
The Ashland Beacon
Get ready to cheer on four incredible athletes from Greenup County High School (GCHS), whose talent, hard work, and determination have earned them a spot on the USA Junior All Girls Squad—better known as the USA JAGS! These four dynamic cheerleaders will proudly represent the United States at the 2025 ICU World Cheerleading Championship, set to take place in Orlando, Florida, this April 23rd-25th. And the best part? They’re the FIRST EVER cheerleaders from GCHS to make it this far, blazing a trail for future generations to follow!
Seniors Gracie Howard, Ella Fraley, and Libby Carter, along with junior Khloe Ginn, have defied the odds and made their dreams a reality. This is no small feat—these girls have not only made history for their high school, but they’ve also earned the chance to compete at the world’s highest level against the best teams from across the globe!
“I told them to be yourself and do what you know you can do. These girls continue to amaze me with their hard work to achieve goals they set for themselves. I am so proud of them. They display drive and toughness. Making anything possible for them!” said Candy Berry, the renowned GCHS Varsity Cheerleading Head Coach. With 48 years of coaching experience, 17 High School National Cheerleading Championships, and four High School Worlds Championships under her belt, Coach Berry’s pride is palpable. These girls are her legacy.
The road to making the USA JAGS team was anything but easy. To even have a chance, they had to navigate a grueling multi-round selection process. In the first round, hundreds of cheerleaders ages 15-18 from all over the country submitted video auditions showcasing their tumbling passes and stunts. Out of that large pool, about 70 athletes were invited to in-person tryouts in Nashville, TN. After three intense rounds of cuts, the final 32-member team was selected, and these four remarkable GCHS cheerleaders earned their spots on Team USA!
“I’ve always dreamed of being on this USA team. When I told my parents I wanted to do this, I wasn’t sure how they would feel about driving to Nashville every weekend for eight weeks in a row before the Worlds competition, but they encouraged me and told me I absolutely need to do it. My dad even cried when I made the team,” shared Gracie Howard, a senior on the squad. For these girls, trying out wasn’t just about the competition—it was about the unforgettable experience, the memories they’d make, and the opportunity to potentially be noticed by colleges they’ve always dreamed of, like Morehead State, EKU, WKU, and even Alabama.
“We wanted to try it and see. The worst thing that could happen was that we don’t make the team, but what if we do?” added Ella Fraley. Well, they DID make it, and now they’ll represent Greenup County, Kentucky and the USA on the world stage!
The journey has just begun! While continuing to cheer for their high school, the girls will also juggle USA JAGS practices in Nashville, making for a busy and exciting schedule leading up to the championship. The USA Junior All Girls Squad represents the elite of the elite in cheerleading, selecting only the best athletes from across the nation. This team has already proven their excellence by being the defending 2024 Gold Medalists, and now these Greenup County athletes are ready to take on the world!
Coaches Melissa Bull and Dalton Stanley from Ravenswood, TN, will lead the team into competition, with support from Kristin Galloway, Coach/Owner of Pride Athletics Cheer in Lloyd, KY. “In cheerleading, there is no higher honor than being a part of this team and the USA Cheer organization. It is the dream of many, but the reality of very few. However, it comes as no surprise to me that these four girls were able to become part of the ‘very few.’ They are dedicated and each very special and talented in their own way. They aren’t just great athletes; they are great humans. They make us so proud on and off the mat,” said Coach Galloway.
However, achieving this dream comes at a cost. Each girl must raise $2,500 to cover expenses not covered by the team, and they are actively seeking both individual and corporate sponsors to make this dream a reality. If you’d like to support these incredible young women in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, please reach out to them or their parents directly.
The world is watching, and Greenup County is ready to shine! Let's help these amazing cheerleaders make their mark in history!