Ashland Cheerleaders Shoot for the Stars: Donation Cheers on Nationals Trip
Gwen Akers
The Ashland Beacon
Monday night, the crowd was cheering for Blazer as the Ashland Varsity Cheerleading team was given a generous $10,000 donation in order to shoot for their chance at a national title.
“It means everything to the coaches. We were just struggling trying to get money to even get there. The kids raised $30,000 throughout the year on their own selling stuff, and this last 10,000 we just couldn't get,” expressed cheerleading director Cathy Goble, “We were just thrilled. I mean, I cried when David [Early] told me.”
After working hard all year fundraising, the Ashland Cheerleaders were surprised Monday night at their last practice before Christmas break with a donation from the AES Foundation. This donation marked the last bit the cheerleaders needed for their trip to nationals, hosted in Florida. Both the students, coaches and parents could not be more grateful. Cathy Goble, who has been with the Ashland cheerleaders for over 40 years, could not be more thankful and excited to see the team go for a shot at a national title.
The donation was given by the AES Restaurant Group, which locally owns and operates the Ashland area Arby’s Restaurants.
“The AES foundation started four years ago, and we put the charter together to be able to give money back to the customers that we serve, in the communities that we serve,” explained David Early about the foundation.
Since its founding in 2019, the AES restaurant group has worked to support local programs and the community–and this particular donation was a surprise spurred on by two proud Blazer graduates. Employed by AES, David Early and Michelle Carter, alumni of Paul G. Blazer High School, were honored to present this award to the cheerleaders.
Carter reached out to Early at the beginning of last week concerning the cheerleaders' national trip, and soon the plan was set in motion led by several other Blazer graduates and close friends of Early.
“We all have great roots here," explained Early. “It's just special to be able to come back and do something that makes a difference.”
Early noted that he could remember all the great memories he has with Ashland, brought back by getting to be with the cheerleaders Monday night with just a dusting of snow on the ground.
“We appreciate the customers in this part of the world,” expressed Early. Early was honored to be able to help the community he grew up in and could not be prouder of the cheerleaders and their efforts.
Truly, through the work of the community and the generosity of its people, the Ashland cheerleaders will be able to attend their national competition in Florida in the coming weeks.
“We have two really excellent coaches that do the coaching, and we're very fortunate to have them. They’ve been on board with us for about eight or nine years,” commented Goble about the strong leadership and great things happening with the Ashland cheerleading team.
Overall, with the first snow of December on the ground, the Ashland cheerleaders will embark on their trip to nationals, continuing the Ashland motto: “A proud past and a bright future.” Go Tomcats!
