Pike Liberal Arts cheerleader Anna May was awarded with the AISA All-Star Scholarship at the AISA All-Star Football Game on Friday night in Montgomery.

During the summer, May and the Pike cheerleaders competed at the UCA Cheerleading Camp at Huntingdon College. During the camp, May was one of 24 cheerleaders selected as all-stars.

After May was selected, she applied for the scholarship by submitting a 50-word or less essay.

“There was not much room about what AISA meant to us,” May said. “I wrote about it being a great community, how we are all family and how much it shaped me as a person and how I hope to carry that into college.”

Four of the applicants were selected as scholarship winners. Two boys and two girls were selected from both the East and West teams. May was named the West girl recipient and was awarded with the $500 scholarship.

“I am absolutely thrilled,” May said. “I am looking forward to attending college in the fall. I am not sure what I want to major in or where I am going, but I know every little bit will help.”

May has been cheerleading since the eighth grade. During that time, she has enjoyed being the squad’s Chaplain.

“I have the opportunity of a lifetime to be able to lead my cheer squad in prayer and help us come together as one in Christ and serve him,” May said. “Cheerleading itself is so much fun; we work so hard. We have won state for about five years now. We work really hard and I love it. It helps me promote school spirit and stay involved.”

May is not only involved in cheerleading; she is also the SGA President, a member of the Excel Club and is the 2018 Distinguished Young Woman of Pike County.

“It helps keep me informed with everything that is happening in our community and in our state,” May said. “I know Distinguished Young Women especially has helped me with that. It keeps me healthy and active. I have made so many amazing relationships and friendships from those things. It’s amazing to see what can happen through those organizations that our school and community provides us.”