FARMINGTON – With their hair done up in pony tails and ribbons, 47 young girls from Franklin County successfully completed the fifth annual Jamie Beth Shible Cheerleading camp, and said farewell to longtime camp director Holly Gould.

During the camp’s exhibition and awards evening held last Thursday, Gould got a chance to say her goodbyes, complete with many hugs and a few tears. “This whole experience has been just delightful,” said Gould.

For the past two weeks, Gould along with some alumni from the Mount Blue Cheerleading squad, instructed girls age 7-14 on the basics of cheerleading. With only eight classes to perfect their routines, all of the hard work put in by both campers and coaches culminated during each of the performances Thursday night. “It’s like working a thousand hours for only one chance,” said Gould.

After three action-packed routines, awards and certificates were handed out and emphasis was placed on one of the real reasons everyone had come together; to remember Jamie.

“This was a good way to show what cheering meant to Jamie and what she meant to cheering,” said Gould.

Also on hand were the parents of Jamie, Steve and Julie Shible. The Shibles were also the recipients of a framed replica uniform of the Mount Blue Cheerleading squad, courtesy of Gould and the alumni.

With the memory of Jamie always with her and the experience of five years as camp director under her belt, Gould is now looking forward to concentrating on her young family and career.

“Just being able to walk through town and have the kids know who I am, makes this worth it,” said Gould.

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