Livingston Parish School Board honors Live Oak High cheerleaders for ninth straight national title

The Livingston Parish School Board recognized Live Oak High School's varsity cheerleaders on March 2025 for winning their ninth consecutive national championship, praising the team's athleticism, discipline and community representation.

Board member Bob Seals introduced the presentation and showed video of the team's competition performances. "We want to recognize this group for 9 consecutive national championship title, that is quite an accomplishment," Seals said during the presentation. The board and attendees also thanked the coaches and parents who support the team.

School principal Gary Jones, who attended the national competition, was cited by the board for observing the event and reporting on the team's conduct and performance. Coaches London Smiley and Maddie Gidry were identified at the meeting as members of the coaching staff who attended the competition. The board noted that the team is known not only for competitive results but also for how members treated other teams and acted as ambassadors for Livingston Parish.

Presenters told the board that the event drew large crowds: the arena used for the competition seats "over 5,000" and presenters stated that roughly "over 50,000 different people" attend the broader event across sessions. The board praised the team for combining classroom achievement with athletic success; board members asked athletes who were honor-roll students to acknowledge themselves during the presentation.

Board members presented certificates to team members and coaches. The board did not take formal policy action on the recognition; the item was ceremonial.

The board will continue regular business after the recognition, including votes on routine procurement and construction matters.