Asked if she was a cheerleader in high school, Hayley Williams replied demurely in the negative.

“I was the class president, the studious one,” said the 2002 Pell City High School alumna, who now teaches sixth grade math at Williams Intermediate School and serves as cheerleading coach for her alma mater.

Sporting a Panthers t-shirt as she sat in her office at the field house on a recent afternoon, dealing easily with the sweltering heat and parade of cheerleaders passing through, Williams reflected on her six years of working with Pell City’s varsity and junior varsity teams and dispelled the idea that there’s nothing more to cheerleading than waving pom poms on the sidelines.

About this year’s cheerleading squad:  It’s comprised of 18 members, including nine seniors.  “I love these girls,” Williams said.  “Especially having been with them for six years, there’s a real bond between us.”  The team has been selected to cheer at the 2012 BCS National Championship Game, having gone to the Sugar Bowl and Liberty Bowl in previous years.

How she views her role:  “When this position opened up, I prayed about where the Lord could use me.   It is definitely a ministry.  You have to love it, or you wouldn’t do it.”

Why not?:  “The amount of time, energy, and effort it takes to make 18 girls happy, work together, and be successful can be difficult.  But seeing them accomplish their goals and have fun as they work toward them through the season, it is a blessing.”

What’s a typical week like during football season?:  “After Friday’s night’s game, we start planning on Saturday for the next week.  On Monday, we start working on the new sign, planning for the pep rally, working on stunts, and learning new dances and cheers.  Then there’s the pre-game breakfast on Friday morning, and Friday night is game day.  We don’t have a lot of time off during the season.  The only night we have off is Wednesday for church.”

What about during the off-season?:  “We practice in May and June, take off July, and then in August we start fundraising by selling ads for the football program and preparing for the upcoming season.  Getting and staying physically fit is a big part of it.”

At the Universal Cheerleading Association camp:  The Panthers cheerleaders were recognized for their entry in the extreme routine competition, Niya Crawford won the jump-off, and Allie Wallace was named UCA Camp All-Star.  

What about the conception that cheerleading is easy?:  “It might look that way on Friday nights, but I would welcome anyone to come out and join us for a week of practice.  We have to work hard and practice just as much as the boys do, and do it with a smile on our face.  Plus, we have to live up to the expectations the community and school set for us.  People do look up to cheerleaders.”