Story and Photo by Krystle Bono
Arcadia varsity cheerleader and senior member Madison Bishop was selected to the VHSL All-State cheer team, the only Eastern Shore district cheerleader to be selected to such an honor. As captain and four-year varsity veteran, Bishop helped her Firebirds squad soar to a third place performance at the regional level in October and was chosen as a first team selection to All-Region 2A. Last season, she was a second team all-region pick. She began cheering in eighth grade.
“For the last five years, I have had the pleasure of watching Madison grow from a dancer to phenomenal cheerleader. She is amazing and captivating–from her jumps, flexibility, attitude, and athleticism. She is also a model student. In my 13 years of coaching, she is the first I have witnessed be chosen for the All-State Cheerleading team from the Eastern Shore. As a coach, I strive to get not just Madison, but her upper class teammates Nighdia Gerald and Inayah Mason to states. Although we as a team never made it to states, I am thankful that the VHSL State Board recognized the hard work and dedication of this little Eastern Shore girl. It is honor for me to say that she is beyond deserving of her place on the state team. She is the epitome of what every coach would love to have for his or her team. I am beyond blessed to have had her. She will truly be missed,” said Arcadia cheerleading head coach T.J. Smith.
Bishop also is a praise dancer at her local church and is a member of her school’s track team. She hopes to continue to cheer at the collegiate level.
