The Selma High School cheerleading squad led cheers and dances Tuesday on day two of a camp they are hosting for younger girls in the community. 

The camp is for girls from 3-years-old through eighth grade and allows the Selma High cheerleaders the chance to make a difference in the lives of a group of young girls that just might be a future generation of Saints.

“It gets them involved in the community and gives them a personal relationship with young girls who look up to them as role models and mentors,” said Selma High assistant cheerleading coach Ashlyn Goodwin. “We hope that one day they will be Selma High cheerleaders and they will work with young girls in the community as well and that it will continue growing years and years from now.”

The cheerleaders were broken into age groups Tuesday as they tried to refine their skills before a final performance for friends and family Thursday. When the Selma High cheerleaders started moving, each had a younger girl in their shadow trying to mimic their every move.

There are 19 cheerleaders on the Selma squad this year and 19 girls participating in the camp.

Nautica Davis, the squad’s senior captain, was paired with 4-year-old Kimora Davis a majority of Tuesday’s camp. Every time Nautica moved, Kimora did her best to keep up.

“It was fun,” Nautica said. “She stays energetic and she loves being around me and I love her too.”

It was clear the campers weren’t the only group having fun. The Selma High cheerleaders were having a blast as well.

“You get one on one [instruction] with them and they know our names, they know all about us,” said Selma senior Charle’a Smith.

“We talk to them and everything before we start practicing, so it’s really great that we get to know them.”

Goodwin said the Selma cheerleaders will use the same cheers later this fall at football and basketball games. She’s hopeful that campers will remember the cheers and get the cheers going in the crowd.

“We are teaching them cheers that we do, so during football and basketball season we will be able to look in the stands and see the cheerleaders that participate in the camp,” Goodwin said. “They know the cheers and they are able to fall in line with us, cheer with the crowd and get the crowd going. It’s even more crowd participation and fanfare.”