As we get further into Small Gym September, it is important to understand the major impact of a small gym not just in an athletes cheer career, but in their life as well.

I, Millery Null, as a member of FloCheer, have been greatly influenced by my cheerleading background which started at a small gym in Meridian, Mississippi. It has taken me places I never thought I would go.

Here’s a small glimpse at how one particular gym kick-started my love for cheer!

Millery:

Growing up as a child, my parents put me in gymnastics, which I fell in love with very quickly. But as I got older, all of my friends were talking about trying out for the middle school cheer team. I decided to try out too, and I made the team! 

Little did I know that my life was about to change forever.

My coaches at West Lauderdale were Charlotte Chaney and Laura Posey. Laura had recently opened the first all star cheer gym in my hometown, Meridian, Mississippi. A few years later, I was cheering for my high school team (under the same coaches) and Laura asked me if I would fill in for one of her athletes at a competition that weekend, so I did. I never knew there was a thing such as “all star cheerleading.” Ridiculous, I know!

After competing with the Senior Level 4 team "Vipers" in Destin, Florida, I never wanted to come off of that steaming hot, sandy mat again. I had competed at a couple of school state competitions before, but nothing like this. 

East Mississippi Cheerleading quickly became my second home.

About East Mississippi Cheerleading:

Shortly after graduating from Mississippi State University, Laura Posey opened East Mississippi Cheerleading in August of 2008 in Meridian, Mississippi. She had multiple high schools reach out to her for coaching. Laura knew there was a need for a training facility for all of her high school athletes to attend, so she made it happen.

“I knew Meridian had talented athletes, but they were lacking a good place to train and teach them the right mentality it takes to get to the next level,” Posey said. “I wanted to be the person to help others get the same opportunity I got and more.”

"Nothing makes me happier than to see an athlete start minimal and grow to an advanced athlete in this sport. I love watching athletes work hard and learn the value that comes from it.” -Laura Posey

EMC currently has five all star teams ranging from Level one to four.

East Mississippi Cheer Teams:

- Jaguars: Mini Level 1

- Diamondbacks: Youth Level 1

- Sabers: Youth Level 2

- Scorpions: Junior Level 3

- Vipers: Senior Level 4

EMC will take the mat on January 12^th at CHEERSPORT in Biloxi, Mississippi for the first time this season!

Millery:

Not long after filling in for the Destin, Florida competition, I knew I wanted to be on the team for a full season. So, the following year I joined two teams: Cobras ( Senior Level 3) and Vipers (Senior Level 4). 

Along with joining two teams, I also enrolled in a few tumbling classes. The atmosphere at East Mississippi Cheerleading was something I lived for! The coaches were determined, the athletes were committed, and after a few months of working with Laura and Bradley, I began to notice huge improvement in my skills.

“I have an amazing coaching staff at EMC!” Posey said. “Bradley Presley, who has been with me since 2009 is an amazing tumbling instructor that has produced some of the prettiest technical fulls I have seen in this business. He has a fun and energetic personality that the athletes love. I have been very lucky to have him as a head coach at EMC.”

EMC also has three other head coaches that Laura says are a huge part of building their younger athletes. Caleb McCarty, Aisha Roberts, and Janetta Fortner all work alongside Laura and do an amazing job of getting the athletes to understand the importance of having strong basic skills to progress smoothly in the future.

Laura also has three assistant coaches, Blair Black, Taylor Hall, and Katie Weir, who are the cherry on top of a strong, hardworking staff. 

“I wouldn’t trade the coaches for anything! These coaches really take pride in making our younger athletes learn the value of progressions.” -Laura Posey

“Bree Adams is a top-notch coach, but she also helps me with paperwork,” said Posey. "She is a huge part of EMC and I am very thankful to have her.”

East Mississippi Cheerleading has had many successful athletes come through their program with more than 20 athletes moving on to cheer at the collegiate level.

Millery:

When it came to college cheerleading, I knew I wanted to go somewhere competitive after watching multiple collegiate cheer competitions on TV. My dad's family were Alabama fans, so that was definitely my top option. But I also attended a University of Kentucky cheer clinic, which Laura and Bradley themselves attended with me.

After visiting both schools, Alabama was the best fit for me! As soon as I shared my college of choice with Bradley and Laura, they went out of their way to help me reach my goals. Bradley would come to the gym early, stay late and even take time between privates just to stunt with me. Laura would make time out of her day to critique my tumbling and to assure that I was going to be one of the best game day cheerleaders to walk into tryouts! Game day cheer is something I admire about her.

“If you want to be the best, you have to out work all the rest.” -Laura Posey

About Laura:

Laura is from Meridian, Mississippi and has been very successful in the cheerleading industry for many years. She cheered at Delta State University her first two years of college and finished at Mississippi State University where she was named captain her senior year. She even went on to be the assistant coach at Mississippi State from 2008 to 2009.

“I first started coaching and choreographing my sophomore year at Delta State,” Posey said. “That was fall of 2004, so I have been coaching for 14 plus years now.”

Where all have you cheered?

- Northwest Jr. High School in Meridian, MS

- Meridian High School

- Delta State University

- Mississippi State University

- Gem Of Champions – Open Level 6 Worlds All-Star Team

Where all have you coached?

- Cleveland Jr. High in Cleveland, MS

- Heritage Jr. High and High School Columbus, MS

- Assistant coach at Mississippi State University (2008-2009)

- West Lauderdale Jr. High and High School

- Northeast High School

- Lamar Jr. High and High School

- Enterprise High School

- Quitman High School

- Patrician Academy (summer camp preparations)

- Meridian Jr. High and High School (summer sessions for stunting)

Alongside other coaches, Laura has also helped coach and choreograph for Southeast High School, Enterprise Junior High, Baldwyn Junior High and High School.

East Mississippi Cheer is ready to kick off their season and gym owner, Laura and her staff couldn’t be more excited! 

“I am very excited to get this new season started!” Posey said. “A lot of our athletes have moved up to a new level this season and I am excited to see how the transition goes. Our athletes are excited about the challenge and I am excited about it as well.”

Laura has specific goals in mind for this upcoming season. Athletes intend to get wrapped up in what other gyms are doing and lose their own focus. This is what Laura is wanting to keep her athletes away from. 

“My goals for this upcoming season are for our athletes to keep their focus on their goals and continue to push towards them,” Posey said. “I want our athletes to focus in on their own personal goal as well as their growth and not let outside distractions get in their way.”

Laura also has long-term goals in mind. The cheerleading world is growing rapidly every day, and she wishes for her athletes to continue to stay a part of the industry. 

“My long-term goal is to keep the excitement about the sport alive for many years to come,” Posey said. “We teach them that you earn things in life and to not expect things to be handed to you. Go earn what you want. Don’t just expect it.”

"If I can keep athletes interested in our program and excited about the process, I can continue to train successful young people. At the end of the day, that’s my goal.” -Laura Posey

Millery:

If it weren’t for Laura following HER dream and opening up the small gym in Meridian known as EMC, I would have never been able to fulfil my own dreams. Thank you Laura, for always inspiring me and for being there every step of the way!