Seniors received their diplomas this past week, proving their high school careers were officially finished. It is both a tearful and joyful time, but always a time to decide which path to continue on to. Some grads are taking their high school athletics to the collegiate level.

 

Kayley Hahn and Kylie Parks took a break from cheerleading their senior year, but will both be cheering once again in their upcoming freshman year of college.

 

Kayley will be cheering for the University of Missouri-Kansas City Kangaroos. "I tried out in front of judges twice and they made cuts twice," explained Kayley. She made it through both. Kayley cheered for CHS her freshman, sophomore, and junior year. She will start practicing with her new squad the week before school starts in the fall. "I'm really excited. It's an honor to be on the squad and one of my greatest accomplishments," she said.

 

Kylie was on the CHS cheer squad, alongside Kayley, her sophomore and junior year. This fall, she will be cheering for the Graceland Yellowjackets.

 

Allison Murphy a CHS dance team alumni, is keeping up the black and gold color scheme, but swapping out the Cameron Dragons for the Mizzou Tigers. She tried out for a spot with the Golden Girls and made it! "I was beyond excited. I was shaking," said Allison. She started gymnastics in Kindergarten, dance in the 6th grade, and has been dancing ever since. "I couldn't imagine my life without dance. [Being a Golden Girl] was a good way for me to keep dancing," she said.

 

It's is not only the girls of Cameron High continuing their high school activities. Alex Burnett, and possibly Blake Levins (Bama) are playing college baseball. Aj Blackmon will continue playing golf, and Kemper Kellerstrass plans to keep up his pole vaulting.

 

Alex Burnett has played baseball for 13 years. This year, Bama and Alex pitched for the Cameron baseball team. The season ended with a win against Barstow on May 14. Alex now has to decide between playing at Maple Woods or at the University of Central Missouri.

Bama is going to play baseball at Missouri Western State University. He's played baseball for 15 years, two of those years for the Cameron baseball team. "Baseball never really changes; it's just a new team, new coach, with a higher level of play," he said.

 

Aj Blackmon went to state for his second time on May 18. He's been golfing for 8 years, and has many medals to prove his worth. He was offered a scholarship to play golf at Hannibal-LaGrange College. He said," I'm pretty excited, and anxious."

 

Last but not least, Kemper just finished his last year of high school track not too long ago. He started pole vaulting at age 11. Kemper has three district championships and a conference champ under his belt, or in his case, speed suit. He's not stopping there. Northwest offered him a track scholarship. "I'm really excited. It's a different level. It should be a lot of fun," he said.

 

It's great to see such wonderful young adults representing Cameron. Good luck to all of the 2009 graduates with their newfound freedom!