Vancleave High School wins first ever cheer State Championship in honor of injured member

Just before Christmas, one local high school made sure to end their year on a high note by winning a State Championship, but this one meant more for more than just one reason. 

WXXV Sports Director Jevan McCoskey sat down with the Vancleave High School cheerleading coach to talk about her squad’s memorable championship experience. 

“It was the best weekend of 2023 by far and I hope they all feel that way too,” said Scoggins.

That is Vancleave cheerleading coach Katelynn Scoggins who has been leading the Bulldogs for 2 years now. In early December, Scoggins and her squad did something that had yet to be done at Vancleave High School. 

The Bulldog cheerleaders competed in the MHSAA State Competition in Jackson, Mississippi and placed first for 5A in the Gameday category. 

“It doesn’t really feel like this is the first time this has ever been done. But knowing that it is I hope that in 10-15 years when they are moving on and starting families and maybe some of them come back to teach like I did and be the cheer coach that they can be so proud to then lead a squad and say like we did that,” said Scoggins.

Cheering can be more difficult than many realize. Between the pep rallies, sporting events, practices, and competitions – it can be a lot. For the Vancleave squad, things became even harder when Jazmyne Burhman, a member of the team, was out for a run one afternoon nearly a week before the State Championships and was hit by a moving vehicle. Thankfully, her injuries were non life-threatening, but it would cause her to miss competing in state. 

“Her looking at me and, you know, in her little neck brace and leaves still in her hair she asked me “Am i going to still be able to compete?” and you know my heart sank. It’s not about the situation that she is in – still in that moment she was caring and worrying about the team…just speaks to who she is as a kid and as an athlete,” said Scoggins. 

As if competing for a state ring wasn’t enough motivation, now the Bulldog cheer squad were doing it more for just themselves – they were doing it for Jazmyne.

“Do it for you, yes, but when those negative feelings start creeping up, put that aside and ultimately do that for her because she can’t do it for herself,” Scoggins said. 

On December 9th, Vancleave made history and won their first ever State Championship for cheer. While they didn’t do it with a full squad, there’s no doubt that they did it for one another. 

“Her reaction, probably, and just her still being able to be a part – like she was a part as much as she could be without physically being there – was really really special. I think it meant a lot to her and her family and our squad too. just seeing her reaction and knowing that like we did this for you, we did it for us, but we also did it for you. we wish you were here but we did it for you so don’t worry we are bringing it back to you,” said Scoggins.

Vancleave will celebrate their state title with a ring ceremony later this year. WXXV will have coverage and more details when that date is announced.