MDA contest

In this contest, Odessa High is the defending champion, while Permian looked to improve upon last year's result.

But in the end, it was Jerry's Kids who came away the real winners.

For the third straight season, Odessa High and Permian cheerleaders competed to see who could raise the most money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association for two weeks leading up to the schools' meeting on the football field. In the contest, which ended Tuesday, the teams sold football mobiles for $1 each.

"It's a great fund-raiser for the cheerleaders," MDA program coordinator Marcie McDonald said. "It teaches them about giving to the community at a time when it's real competitive."

And, whether it's because both football teams are 4-0 or just because people are more giving, the competition heated up this year. McDonald said Permian increased the money it raised from around $300 to $1,496.

Permian cheerleader Kaylee Carlile, 16, said she even got other students in one of her classes to help sell the mobiles.

"It was a big deal to me because it showed that people really do care about other people and show their compassion to other people as well," the junior said.

Since the total was more than the Odessa High squad raised before the 2007 game, the Permian cheerleaders felt they had a chance to take the title. But the Broncho cheerleaders were set on improving, too.

Odessa High raised $3,129, more than doubling its total of $1,496 last season.

Bronchos' cheerleading sponsor Lauren Wall said she required each of her 24 girls to sell 10 mobiles a day - or they'd have to run a mile for every one they didn't sell.

She said she ended up having two cheerleaders run a total of nine miles.

"They never fail to amaze me," Wall said. "Anything that they do, they're going to work at it."

Wall also made sure the cheerleaders studied up on muscular dystrophy, a group of neuromuscular diseases that affect more than 1 million Americans. She wanted them to be able to answer any questions people may have about where the money is going.

"It teaches us so much," Wall said. "I want my kids to understand that there's more than being a good athlete and a good student."

As a result of the fund-raising, McDonald said around six kids will be able to attend the MDA's summer camp.

Odessa High cheerleader Tonya Beason said that makes her feel good.

"We're really proud that we can, not only beat Permian, but send these kids to a camp, and show that we're that much better," the 17-year-old senior said.

Permian cheerleading sponsor Valerie Hammit said having students at the school who suffer from muscular dystrophy helped motivate the cheerleaders.

"It's a definite challenge," she said. "We're definitely going to work on catching them next year. It's good-natured competition."

Want to help?

>> Even though the contest is over, you can still help the Muscular Dystrophy Association. For information, call 570-4970.