The Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Bulldog Cheerleaders and Perkette Dance Team attended the Universal Cheerleader Association/Universal Dance Association camps at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa from July 18-21. The four-day camp brought participants together from all over the world, including squads and dance teams from Louisiana State University, Mississippi’s big three universities, and squads from Las Vegas and Japan.

Bulldog Cheerleaders competed in the co-ed division for the first time in more than 10 years and received five superior ribbons, third place overall in cheer, fourth place in fight song and fifth place overall in chant, cheer and fight song. The Bulldog Mascot, “Mac”, represented by student Lake Jones, received a superior trophy and three superior ribbons.

“We have a very talented and advanced squad this year with 11 sophomores and six freshman,” said Coach Christy Bowman. “No matter where we are, what we do, and how we act, everyone knows who the MGCCC cheerleaders are and these athletes are some of the best you will ever find. Their representation of this school is very important and I am proud to be working with them.”

The Perkette Dance Team attended the UDA camp for the second year in a row and was the only community college dance team to participate. They received 10 superior ribbons and won second place in the fight song competition. “We have an outstanding team this year and I’m excited to get the year started,” said Coach Stacy Fore. “We’ve had incredible opportunities at this camp, participating with the elite teams from major universities, which is a great experience in itself. We have learned a lot and brought back heaps of ideas and materials that we will be using all season.”