T-L Photos/GAGE VOTA St. Clairsville High School cheerleaders pose with a $10,000 donation presented to the squad by the Ohio Valley Mall’s parent company the Cafaro Co.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — In honor of St. Clairsville High School cheerleaders winning the Ohio High School Athletic Association’s Spirit Championship for the fourth year in a row, Ohio Valley Mall parent the Cafaro Co. presented the team with a $10,000 donation.

“We want to honor student-athletes. The Ohio Valley Mall and the Cafaro Foundation have been determined to make sure that we give a more than a nod to some of these folks who have made it to the top level of their athletic endeavors in high school,” Cafaro Co. Director of Corporate Communications Joe Bell said.

St. Clairsville High School cheerleading coach Kara Kapiskosky said that in addition to the OHSAA’s Spirit Championship, this year also marks the 17th consecutive OVAC Cheerleading Championship win for the school.

“Twenty-two girls competed for the OHSAA championship, which is what we were recognized for today. Those girls compete any or practice anywhere from five to six days a week — very hard, intensive practices. A lot of strength, conditioning, tumbling … involved in all of this. It’s very rigorous, very hard, and they put a lot of dedication in over six months,” Kapiskosky said.

She added that the $10,000 will allow her team to pay for choreography, practice mats, props, and any other expenses.

“This check will help out with all of those expenses. We pay for our choreography. That’s how we win the championships is with our choreography,” she said. “I’m really proud of them, and this was a very great, successful first year as their coach, and I’m very excited for many more years with them.”

St. Clairsville-Richland City Schools Superintendent Walter Skaggs then said he believes he is the most active superintendent in the area when it comes to supporting cheerleaders. He told the cheerleaders that he is proud of everything they have achieved, not only this year but throughout their entire high school experience.

“Seventeen OVAC titles in a row is something to be quite proud of. We are all just humbled to have you as our cheer squad, and we are just your biggest cheerleaders,” Skaggs said.

“As superintendent of the St. Clairsville-Richland City School District, I am proud to stand before you today to recognize the hard work, dedication and remarkable accomplishments of our St. Clairsville High School cheerleaders.”

He then thanked Bell and the entire Cafaro Co. for the donation and for acknowledging the hard work and determination it takes the students on the cheerleading team to win the OHSAA championship four times in a row.

“On behalf of St. Clairsville schools, congratulations to our cheerleaders and coaches on this outstanding achievement. … Go Red Devils!” Skaggs said.