Brittany DeHaven

Brittany is attending GRCC and planning on transferring to Western Michigan University majoring in Early Childhood Education. She is so excited about it! If there is anything that cheering has taught Brittany, it’s that no matter what kind situation you are in (first year on varsity not knowing many people), you can learn to trust the people around you, building bonds and friendships along the way :) It also teaches you that if there is something you want more than anything, you can always achieve it with a little bit of hard work and determination. “I had so much fun cheering and I miss it so much!! I can’t wait to see what Coach Amy and Coach Kelli have in store for the future Byron Center cheerleaders!!! You can contact Brittany at chrn4bab08@comcast.net

Amanda Loehle

Amanda cheered for the BC varsity team for 3 years. Amanda currently attends GRCC. Amanda says the following about how Byron Center Cheer affected her life: “Cheer has made me who I am today, the bond that I made with the girls will last for the rest of my life. I became sisters with every girl that I cheered with.” You can contact Amanda at adloehle@yahoo.com

Amanda Merritt

Mandi cheered for the BC varsity team for 4 years. She was all conference and all-state academic for 3 years and also all region for one. Mandi currently attends KCTC in the cosmetology program, and is the Byron Center JV cheer coach. Mandi says the following about how Byron Center Cheer affected her life: “All of my best memories in high school involve cheer. I loved the relationships with the girls that I made that will last a lifetime.” You can contact Mandi at Flipz012@msn.com

Jill Gress

Jill cheered for the BC varsity team for 4 years. She was all conference for 3 years and also all region for one. Jill currently attends GRCC studying physical therapy and is working for Victory Cheer. Jill says the following about how Byron Center Cheer affected her life: “I made great bonds with the girls. It was so much fun and something that I will never forget!!” You can contact Jill at Pipsqueak523@msn.com

Lauren Patterson

Lauren cheered at Byron Center for all four years of high school three of which was on varsity. She also coached the 3rd grade rocket cheer teams her junior and senior year of high school. She now cheers at Central Michigan University on the coed team and is absolutely loving it. And, she will sincerely miss Byron Center Cheer. “My last season of my senior year was seriously my favorite cheer season of my life and I can't wait to come back to watch the team in the future!”

Emily Ray

Emily cheered on the BC Varsity team for 8 seasons. During this time, Emily achieved 1 top ten MCCA State Final finish, and received Individual Academic All-State honors and First Team All-Conference honors for three years. During her senior year, Emily received First Team All-Region honors, Honorable Mention for the All Area Team Advance Newspaper, was a recipient of the C.C.C.A.M. Competitive Cheer Scholarship, and received the 2008 Most Dedicated Award from her coaches. Emily is currently attending the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. She is also a member of the U of M co-ed Cheer Team, and is thrilled to be continuing her cheer career in the “Big House!” This is what Emily has to say about her cheer experiences at Byron Center: “I so appreciate what cheer has taught and given to me: self-discipline, leadership, teamwork, patience, drive, and friendship. From the first time I set foot on the cheer mat to the first time I set foot on the field at the Big House, cheer has and will always be a part of who I am.” You may contact Emily at emipaige@umich.edu

Class of 2007 Alumni

Tanya Ma

Tanya cheered for the Byron Center Cheer Team for 2 years. In her second season of her Freshman year, she moved up from the Freshman team to Varsity. By the end of her first year she had won Most Spirited and the Coaches Award. Unfortunately, she wasn't able to continue her Junior and Senior year. Tanya currently attends Grace Bible College and is enrolled in the Human Services Program. Tanya says the following about how Byron Center Cheer affected her life: "No other sport or extracurricular activity has brought out such passion, team work, and hard work as cheer has for me. I treasure those two years and look back at the times of accomplishments, failures, laughter, encouragement, and discipline and smile at them all. I loved all the girls I cheered with and my coaches as well."

Kelly Oppenneer

Kelly cheered for the BC varsity football sideline team for two years. Before that, she cheered on the Freshman and JV teams for football and basketball sideline cheer. Kelly currently attends Western Michigan University where she is pursuing a double major in Biomedical Sciences and Spanish. After graduating from WMU, she hopes to attend graduate school to become an optometrist. Kelly says that "Cheer created some of my favorite memories of high school. I loved cheering for the boys, but even more importantly, I am grateful for the friendships I made with the girls on the team."

Megan Spitler

Megan cheered for Byron Center high school for 4 years on the freshman, JV, and Varsity teams. She currently attends Hope College for nursing. Megan says the following about how cheer affected her life "There are so many awesome memories that cheer gave me, and without them high school just wouldn't have been the same! I made so many friends throughout the years and learned a lot about dedication and teamwork." You can contact Megan at megan@reltips.com.

Class of 2006 Alumni

Caitlin Hackett

Caitlin cheered for the BC Varsity team for 4 seasons. She was named to the UCA All Star Team during her time on the team as well as a Captain. Caitlin is currently attending the University of Illinois where she is majoring in Advertising and Media studies and minoring in Gender and Women’s Studies. Caitlin says the following about how Byron Center Cheer affected her life: “I made great friends. It made me incredibly strong. I was able to perform for many audiences, which I love. All I have to say is Do It! – it will be one of the most memorable high school experiences.” To get in contact with Caitlin you can e-mail her at hackett2@uiuc.edu.

Jennifer VanVleet

Jennifer cheered for the BC Varsity for 3 years. She now attends Michigan State University for Veterinary Medicine. Jennifer was also a part of the 2006 State Championship dance team at Byron Center. Jennifer says this about BC Varsity Cheer: “Cheerleading did a lot for me. It made me challenge myself, not only in cheerleading, but everyday things. I was able to make new friends, one of which I live with now! It definitely made high school a good experience.” You can contact Jennifer at vanvlee2@msu.edu.

Class of 2005 Alumni

Andrea Loda

Andrea Loda is in her last semester at Central Michigan University going into Therapeutic Recreation and Spanish. She will be interning at an adaptive camp for children with impairments this coming Summer of 2009. In the Fall she will be working at a psychiatric facility working with emotionally impaired youth. Andrea will graduate in December of 2009 hoping to then enter into the Peace Corps doing community development and working closely with at-risk youth.

Caitlin McCarthy

Caitlin cheered for both the BC junior varsity and varsity teams for three years during high school. It was her first time cheering, and she fell in love with it; it still has a piece of her heart. Caitlin currently attends Trinity Christian College and will be graduating in May of 2009 with hopes of teaching high school English or Spanish. She is also getting married in July of 2009 and looking forward to a beautiful wedding, married life, and spending forever with her best friend. Caitlin looks back at cheerleading with fond memories and big smiles. You can contact Caitlin at caitlin.mccarthy@trnty.edu.

Amy Orlowski

Amy cheered for the BC Varsity team for 4 seasons. Amy achieved 2 Regional MCCA Titles, 3 Top Ten MCCA State Final finishes and 1 Top Five MCCA State Final finish while on the Varsity team. This is what Amy says about her experience in the Byron Center Cheer Program: “Cheerleading made me an outgoing person. It also taught me to be a hard worker and to have good time management that I use everyday.” You can contact Amy by e-mail at orlows24@msu.edu.

Karena Schroeder

Karena was a member of the BC Varsity team for 6 seasons. Karena was also named the Most Improved on her team in 2001. Karena attended Hope College where she also cheered. Please go to our Alumni Photo section to see Karena cheering on her Flying Dutchmen! Karena says the following about her time at Byron Center: “BC Cheerleading helped me progress with my skills to be able to make the Hope College Cheer Team!” You can contact Karena at karena.schroeder@gmail.com.

Brooke Nabkey (Smith)

Brooke cheered on the Byron Center Varsity Cheer Team for 3 seasons. Brooke began a career in childcare after graduation and also got married! Brooke and her husband welcomed their first child, Simon, in January of 2008. Brooke says the following about her time on the Byron Center Varsity Cheer Team: “Cheerleading taught me the patience I have today – which helps with watching small children! With being new to a school my junior year – cheerleading helped me to make new friends and made me feel like I was part of the BCHS family. I still have many of those friendships today! You can contact Brooke at Be.nabkey@gmail.com!

Michelle VanWingen

Michelle cheered on the BC Varsity team for 7 seasons. Michelle earned the honors of the Most Improved Cheerleader in 2002 and the Most Dedicated Cheerleader in 2004 and 2005 while on the Varsity team. Michelle currently attends Michigan State University majoring in nursing. She also is a member of the MSU Co-Ed Cheer Team! Michelle has accomplished many things while at MSU – she has made the Dean’s List in the Fall of 2005, Fall of 2006, Spring of 2007, Fall of 2007, and in Spring of 2008. She received a job in pediatrics at MSU as a Health Care Assistant. She received the Most Spirited Award her freshman year on the MSU Cheer Team, her sophomore year she also received the Coach’s Award and Best Smile. This is what Michelle has to say about her time with Byron Center Cheer: “Cheerleading has made me a well-rounded person. It has taught me how to be responsible, organized and punctual. It goes to show that hard work and dedication pay off.” You can contact Michelle via e-mail at vanwing9@msu.edu

Courtney Spitler

Courtney cheered for four years at BCHS and LOVED it! She received the Most Dedicated Award in 2003. Courtney attended Western Michigan University and graduated in the fall 08 with a major in Speech Pathology and Audiology and minors in Spanish and Psychology. Courtney recently became engaged and will be getting married to her long time boyfriend Steve. Courtney says the following about cheerleading: “What I loved most about cheerleading was the team effort put into the sport. Cheerleading taught me the importance of teamwork, determination and dedication.” You can reach Courtney at courtney@reltips.com.

Class of 2004 Alumni

Rici Bick

Rici cheered for the Byron Center Varsity cheer team for 1 season as an exchange student from Germany! She also received the Most Spirited Award while on the team. After graduating from BCHS she went back home to Germany to do an internship in a shipping business. Rici has also moved into her very first apartment! This is what Rici says about BC Cheerleading: “I found two of the best friends that I will ever have! I am so happy to see them in 2008!” You can contact Rici by e-mail at Ricarda.Bick@web.de.

Tara Byxbe

Tara cheered for Byron Center for a total of 7 seasons; competing in 3 regional and 3 state tournaments. A recent graduate from Grand Valley State University, Tara is currently interviewing for various Registered Nursing positions, focusing on intensive care units. Her dedication to hard work and her love for teamwork stemmed from cheerleading. She says, “Cheering for Byron Center has taught me life lessons that I wouldn’t of learned else where. What it means to be part of a team has given me a sense of self, teaching me that I can work well alone, and even better with best friends.” You can reach Tara by email at byxbet@gmail.com

Sara Camacho

Sara cheered for Byron Center for 2 seasons. A recent graduate from The Ohio State University with a bachelor's degree in Agricultural Communications, Sara is currently teaching a writing class at Ohio State while she is re-enrolled to obtain her master's degree in Extension Education: 4-H and Youth Development. You can reach Sara by email at sara.r.camacho@gmail.com.

Jessie Schumaker

Jessie cheered on the Varsity cheer team for 5 seasons. Jessie graduated from Western Michigan University in 2008, majoring in photography. Jessie says the following about what cheerleading has taught her: “It taught me a lot of discipline and strength.” You can contact Jessie at tooweird4schu@aol.com

Jessica Poppe

Jessica cheered on the Varsity cheer team for 7 seasons. Jessica graduated from the University of Michigan in 2008 with a degree in biology where she was a member of the Women’s Cheer team for four years. She is now pursuing her Masters in Education at UM. Jessica says, “Cheerleading provided her with some of her best friends and great memories.” You can contact Jessica at poppe.jessica@gmail.com

Class of 2003 Alumni

Sarah Strength (Hugen)

Sarah was a member of the class of 2003 and cheered on the Varsity Cheer Team for one season. Sarah was named Miss Congeniality by her team at the end of the season. Sarah just separated 7 months ago from serving 4 years in the United States Air Force. She was a weather forecaster and spent the last 3 years in Germany. Recently Sarah came back to MI after separating to be near her family again. She is currently working 3 jobs (as a weather observer at the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek Intl. Airport-- as a server at Outback Steakhouse in Grandville, MI-- and as a Marketing Representative at the South Kent Wellness Center in Wyoming, MI) and going to school full time online through AIU (American Intercontinental University) for a general Business degree. Sarah currently lives in Ramblewood Apartments in Wyoming, MI. Sarah says this about how cheerleading affected her life: “BC Cheerleading made my senior year a lot of fun, and I met and befriended a lot of really awesome girls. I respect and am thankful for the motivating and hardworking atmosphere the BC cheerleading program expected of all of the girls.” You can contact Sarah at sarahhugen@juno.com.

Class of 2002 Alumni

Ashley Hoffman (Breuker)

Ashley cheered on the Varsity team for 2 seasons. She was also named the Most Spirited in her time on the team. Ashley attended Grand Valley State University after graduating from Byron Center and also coached the South Christian Sailor Cheer Team her freshman year of college. Her sophomore year of college she was a member of the GVSU Dance Team. Her junior year she transferred to Hawaii Pacific University and is currently coaching the Byron Center Varsity Dance team. Ashley is now married and recently built a brand new house in Caledonia with her husband! This is what Ashley would like to share about her time in the BC Cheer Program: “Cheerleading taught me the love for sports and especially to look at the good in every situation. People still ask me to this day how I can have so much going in my life and I say try being a cheerleader on Homecoming and your team is down by 30 plus! This is nothing!” You can get in touch with Ashley by e-mailing ashleywmre@aol.com or heartbreuker25@aol.com.

Tyler Keizer (Hitson)

Tyler cheered on the Varsity team for 4 seasons. After graduating from BCHS – Tyler attended Michigan State University where she majored in Accounting. She is currently working at Plante & Moran in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Tyler got married in June 2008. This is what Tyler has to say about the Byron Center Cheer Program: “The cheer team taught me many valuable lessons, many of which I still use today.” You can contact Tyler at tyler.keizer@hotmail.com

Amber Nichols (Huizenga)

Amber cheered on the varsity cheer team for four years. Upon graduation she went to Aquinas College to run track for a year. After that year, Amber transferred to Grand Valley to pursue a nursing degree. In 2005, she married to Ben Nichols. In the Spring of 2007, Amber graduated with her nursing degree and began working in surgery at Blodgett Hospital. Just this past January (2009) she had her first child, Ryder Alan Nichols. She began her love of distance running while still in cheerleading and continues to enjoy the time putting in the miles today. Her favorite memory of cheering is learning to do a back handspring. “I will never forget going across the basket ball court or football field to see how many I could do in a row..... I think 17 was my record. To this day I still dare to throw myself over into one, however they are not near as pretty as they used to be.”

Class of 2001 Alumni

Kelli Saunders

Kelli cheered on the Varsity team for 5 seasons. She was also named the Most Spirited Cheerleader in 2000. After graduating from BCHS – Kelli attended Aquinas College where she majored in Political Science and minored in Spanish. Kelli started coaching the Varsity cheer team after she graduated from BCHS and is still a part of the coaching staff today! She is currently working at the Michigan Department of State as the Assistant Director of Public Affairs to Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land. Kelli won a state wide reelection campaign in 2006 with Secretary Land, has judged two MHSAA Regionals in 2006 and 2007, coached the Byron Center Cheer Team to be ranked in the Top 10 in Division 2 in 2006-2007, has met the President of the United States of America (George W. Bush) and helped plan the funeral activities for the late President Gerald R. Ford in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This is what Kelli has to say about the Byron Center Cheer Program: “I feel like it developed me in so many areas in my life: time management, conflict resolution, leadership, etc. I really enjoyed the relationships I made in the BC Cheer Program and am continuing to do so! Byron Center Cheer has been so good to me over the years and I look forward to more time in developing myself and the program as a whole!” You can contact Kelli at Quarrell72@comcast.net.

Class of 2000 Alumni

Andrea Shepherd (Van Singel)

Andrea cheered for 6 seasons (2 of them on the Varsity team) and was on the first team that Coach Amy coached at Byron Center. Sophomore year at UCA Cheer Camp, Andrea and her team won the chance to cheer during the pre-Game show at the Citrus Bowl. It was an awesome experience. After graduating from Byron Center, Andrea attended Aquinas College where she received her Bachelor of Arts, majoring in art with a minor in reading. While at Aquinas, Andrea cheered for four years for the men and women’s basketball teams. She is now teaching art in Kentwood Public Schools. Andrea has also been happily married since August 2004 to Stephen Shepherd. They are expecting their first child in 2009. This is what Andrea has to say about the Byron Center Cheer Program: "It was a blast! I loved every minute of it...even the running up and down stairs while cheering with inflection starting over if we didn’t do it right! :) I made so many friends, learned so much about teamwork, trust, and of course leadership." You can contact Andrea at Andrea_A_Shepherd@yahoo.com.

Class of 1999 Alumni

Kim Scherer (Edema)

Kim cheered for 8 seasons at BCHS, 4 for Varsity. She cheered for the first team that Amy coached as well as cheering for Lynn, a friend of Amy's. “I remember when Amy came into the program. Amy was the first coach that made us work hard to get better and become great! I like to think that I was there at the "start" of the cheerleading program as it is now known. I loved cheering and look back on it with fond memories. I made great friends and had great times. At UCA camp, my senior year, I won the All-Star award and had a chance to cheer at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York. Cheerleading has helped me in my adult life by creating my leadership and public speaking skills. I have never had a problem getting in front of a crowd!” Kim would like to get involved in coaching cheerleading in the future with her past teammate Amy Steed (Fennema). Kim graduated from WMU with a major in Spanish and minor in business. Kim and her husband moved around to Texas and Indianapolis before settling in Hudsonville. They were married in August of 2006 and are expecting their first child in 2009. She is currently a sales executive for a staffing service in Grand Rapids. You can contact me at kimedema@yahoo.com