Rowan County proclaims honor for South Rowan competition cheer team after national silver medal

The Rowan County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 17, 2025, adopted a proclamation honoring the South Rowan High School competition cheer team and its coaches for a 2024–25 season that included a state championship, a Carolina Cup title and a silver medal at the 2025 National High School Cheerleading Championships in Orlando, Florida.

The proclamation, read aloud by the presiding commissioner at the board meeting, listed players and coaches and recognized the team’s “hard work, dedication and exceptional chemistry” during the season. The board approved the proclamation by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

Coach Caitlin Nesbitt, speaking after the presentation, said, “We want to thank you very much for having us here today. These ladies have been working since last May,” and noted that most team members “have been here for 4 years” and practiced early mornings because of limited gym availability. Coach Bailey Elliott added, “They were ready to work hard and give it everything because they knew that they could do it,” and thanked the commissioners for the recognition.

The proclamation named the team members and coaching staff and cited the group’s 2024 state championship and Carolina Cup title, then the team’s silver medal in the D2 varsity non-tumble division at the 2025 national championships in Orlando. The board presented framed copies of the proclamation to the coaches and invited the team forward for photographs.

The board’s recognition occurred during the regular meeting’s special-recognition segment. No public comment was registered on the item. Commissioner Pierce was noted as absent from the meeting.