October 21, 2015
MARSHALL, Texas (10/20/15) - The East Texas Baptist University Cheer Team traveled to Whitehouse to help an elementary school celebrate "Crazy College Spirit Day." Cain Elementary of Whitehouse Independent School District uses a program called "No Excuses University" which prompted the team's visit along with mascot "Toby the Tiger."
According to kindergarten teacher and ETBU graduate Terri Cassels, "The program is designed to make sure that every student believes that college can be a part of his or her future and that we take no excuses for not being successful, so that every child can be their very best."
Each Cain Elementary class adopts a school as their classroom college. Naturally, the 1996 graduate of ETBU chose her alma mater for her class. "I teach my class all about our college, history, traditions, colors and mascot. I even created an ETBU cheer that my class knows by heart," Cassels said.
ETBU Cheer Coach Larissa Leifer took five members of her squad to Cain Elementary as they held an end of six weeks celebration that involved the entire school. "Mrs. Cassels has her class door and room decked out in ETBU blue and gold," said Leifer.
"It was rewarding for me see how engaged and responsive the children where when the cheerleaders mingled with the class, teaching cheers and just hanging out with them," added Leifer.
The shirts were provided to the "ETBU Class" by the Alumni Office led by Director of Alumni Relations Allison Peteet. Cassels also contacted other ETBU departments, which sent posters, keychains and promotional items. Peteet arranged for the visit by the Cheer Team.
"My class was beyond excited to have 'real ETBU people' in our room," remarked Cassels, who has been teaching at Cain for three years. "Then, during our school-wide celebration, the cheerleaders got on stage and taught the whole school an ETBU cheer."
Each Monday, each class wears their adopted college colors to school. At the end of the six-weeks, the "Crazy College Spirit Day" is held with all classes participating together.
"The ETBU cheerleaders did an awesome job with all the students," concluded Cassels.