Several former Moniteau Jr./Sr. High School cheerleaders performed with the current cheer squad at the Oct. 11 homecoming game. They took a photo with some of the current Moniteau cheer squad members. From left, front row, are Brittney Heller, 2015; Crystal Claypoole; Megan Anderson, 2004; and Amanda Montgomery, 2008, and back row, Brienna Simmons, 2017; Darian Bly, 2006; Nancy Eshenbaugh, 2004; Brooke Trufley, 2004; Katie Loos, 2007; Chasity Curry, 2004; and Kierra Thiry, 2017. Not pictured is Cassidy Claypoole, 2020. Submitted Photo

A larger cheer squad with faces that may have been familiar to many rocked the crowd Oct. 11 at the Moniteau Jr./Sr. High School homecoming football game.

Nancy Eshenbaugh, the current varsity cheer coach at Moniteau, organized the event to welcome the cheer alumnae to the game, where the former cheerleaders performed with the current squad.

Deanna Panza, executive assistant to the superintendent at Moniteau, is a former Moniteau cheer coach whose daughter, Darian Bly, was a cheerleader.

“The practices let them remember all the antics they experienced as teens, gave them all time to talk with each other, and the chance to meet the new girls and all be on the same mark,” Panza said.

She said cheers that had not been heard in 20 years were proudly performed by the enlarged squad. Many alumnae shared that they may not have appreciated the routines during their time in high school.

“They yelled them out proudly,” Panza said. “The mix of old and new cheers brought smiles to the crowd and was a terrific lead to the halftime festivities of homecoming.”

She said many of the former cheerleaders brought their varsity jackets with them, which they had saved since graduation.

“The alumnae girls were apprehensive to be in front of a crowd, but the cheers and the moves all came back to them and they looked great together,” Panza said.

She said Bly was thrilled to perform a dance called “Cherokee” with the band and dance and drill team, as the Moniteau Warriors took the field at the homecoming game against the Brookville Raiders.

“Everyone knows that the view from the Moniteau hill overlooking the field and the glades is spectacular alone,” Panza said, “Then add the Warrior ‘Cherokee’ under the Friday night lights and it’s a beautiful day at Moniteau.”

Panza hopes to make the cheer alumna an annual event at the Moniteau homecoming game.