The North DeSoto Middle School cheerleaders proved that resilience and determination can turn disappointment into success after earning a third-place finish at a national cheer competition.

The team began the week discouraged after learning they would be unable to travel and compete at Nationals in person. However, just one day before their scheduled performance, the cheerleaders made a bold decision — they would compete virtually instead.

Making that choice meant quickly shifting their mindset after an emotional and challenging week. The team regrouped, refocused, and committed to giving their all in a virtual performance — and their hard work paid off.

Out of 12 teams competing, North DeSoto Middle School finished third overall. The team showed remarkable improvement, increasing their score by 15.8 points compared to their first regional competition earlier in the season. They faced many of the same teams that had previously defeated them by as many as 14 points. This time, the margins were razor-thin, with North DeSoto trailing by just 0.2 and 2.6 points.

Head coach Kempf praised the dedication and perseverance of her athletes, noting the countless hours of practice over the past several months. The team balanced competition preparation while continuing to cheer at both football and basketball games throughout the season.

“This group has worked incredibly hard,” Kempf said. “I am so proud of how they handled adversity and rose to the occasion.”

This marks the team’s first year competing with the National Cheerleaders Association (NCA), making their top-three finish even more impressive.

For the North DeSoto Middle School cheerleaders, the experience was more than a competition — it was a powerful lesson in growth, grit, and believing in themselves when it mattered most.