WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Area boys and girls ages four through sixth grade who would like to perform with the Grizzly Cheer Team at Missouri State University-West Plains Jan. 14 are invited to sign up for Sam’s Cubs.

Cheer team sponsor Rachel Peterson said those who register will perform with the team at halftime of the 7 p.m. Jan. 14 Grizzly Basketball game against Mineral Area College in Joe Paul Evans Arena at the West Plains Civic Center. To prepare for the performance, the children will participate in a clinic from 10 to 11:30 a.m. that same day, she added.

The cost is $15 per child, which includes a T-shirt. Additional children living in the same household can register for $10 each. Register at www.wp.missouristate.edu/cheerteam.

Proceeds will go toward the Samantha Beach Endowed Scholarship, which honors the former Grizzly Cheer Team who passed away in 2015. Beach experienced high school and collegiate cheerleading from nearly every angle. She was a member of the West Plains High School Zizzer cheer team before joining the Grizzly Cheer Team in 2003.

As a sophomore, Beach was named captain of the squad and served as an assistant coach following her graduation from Missouri State-West Plains in 2005. She was head coach of the squad during the 2007-08 athletic season and later volunteered her time to serve as a tryout judge and cheer camp consultant for the program. She also was head coach of the area’s Mighty Mite cheer teams.

The new scholarship will be open to recent graduates of West Plains High School, regardless of financial need, with preference given to a former member of the Zizzer cheerleading squad, Peterson said.

“We know there are many children in the area who love cheerleading and would be excited at the opportunity to cheer at halftime of a Grizzly game,” Peterson said. “This is a way to give those little ones the chance to do that and to honor Samantha’s passion for cheerleading and children. The funds raised for this scholarship could certainly impact the lives of college students, as well. It’s a win-win!”

For more information, contact Peterson at 417-255-7978 or RachelPeterson@MissouriState.edu.