How West Louisville Elementary School’s cheer program is forging their own path
As homegrown as the crops that surround it, West Louisville Elementary School is a unique place. Lovingly referred to as the “new school” by many within the community, the original West Louisville Elementary was founded in 1937. The newer building constructed just off of Highway 56 was built in 2011.
Home of the “tigers,” some 300+ students fill the hallways each day. Many of those students are now part of a successful new cheer program, the first elementary-level to compete competitively in Daviess County Public Schools history.
The groundbreaking competitive team added in 2023 stemmed from a school club created in 2022. Before the program was started, co-head coach Brittney Edge noticed an interest in cheer as some of the students would practice cheerleading during recess, she said. The eagerness the younger students had gave her the idea to bring a program to the school.
“The kids really inspired me to get involved,” Edge said. “I felt like they needed extracurricular activities, and other options. Options that keep them focused and determined.”
Together Edge, along with DCPS employees Natalie Clatterbuck and Erinn Williams, launched the first ever Tiger Spirit Squad, which ultimately developed into a competitive team that would claim a region championship, and a ranking of 6th at Kentucky Association of Pep Organization Sponsors State competition this past December. Surpassing all expectations, the program has evolved into something much more than cheerleading.
“I think my favorite aspect of coaching has been watching the confidence build within each and every one of our cheerleaders,” Coach Natalie Clatterbuck said. “I hope this cheer program also inspires other elementary schools to start their own, and eventually bring more sports/clubs into our school system.”
Composed of 18 cheerleaders, grades 2-5, many of the athletes on the tiger cheer roster, had never cheered before joining the team.
“It’s pretty remarkable, witnessing these kids transform,” Coach Erinn Williams said. “They not only have grown athletically but they have built character too. They are leaders within our school community now, and our cheer program has really fostered a sense of pride within each of them.”
Together, Edge, Clatterbuck, and Williams, along with the support of Principal Nathan Satterly, established a program that is hopefully here to stay at WLES.
Essentially the cheer program not only provides a quality extracurricular activity for students enrolled at West Louisville, but it also helps foster talent for DCPS feeder schools.
“My passion for cheer and my daughter Marley, a third grader at WLES, inspired me to get on board,” Coach Natalie Clatterbuck said. “We have had so much fun together and learned so much this season! I never expected our squad to go to state, but these kids have earned their place, and I couldn’t be more proud of them. I’m already looking forward to next year!”
When asked about what made WLES cheer worthwhile, Coach Brittany Edge noted that the outcome has far outweighed the time given to volunteer.
“Watching these students blossom, the confidence they’ve developed, in my opinion it has carried over into every aspect of their lives,” Edge said. “The parents see it, teachers comment on it, and other students notice it as well. I am so happy to get to be a part of that.”
The WLES cheer program will continue and tryouts are set this spring for the 2024-2025 season. Students in grades 2-5 are encouraged to try out and participate. The tiger cheer squad practices weekly after school and has plans to attend cheer workshops and camps next season to further improve their skill set. Athletes who make the team are provided uniforms, practice gear, and multiple opportunities to perform throughout the school year prior to competition.
The West Louisville Elementary School cheerleading team is currently the reigning Region 3 Elementary Game Day champions, and ranked 6th at KAPOS State in a division that hosted 11 elementary schools from across the state.
Coach Erinn Williams is optimistic about the future.
“Ultimately I think it really showcases how incredible our students are, and it encourages our kids to take pride in their school,” Williams said. “We have a chant within one of our routines that states, ‘West is the best.’ Clearly that phrase is accurate, our students, staff, parents, and community are the absolute best and their support has been invaluable! Who knows what next season will bring, one thing is certain though, we are ready!”