The National Cheerleader of the Year Scholarship Competition (NCYSC) is held annually each year in Fayetteville, N.C. This year's event will take place May 15-17, and will include Eastside High standout Brittany Gaynes.

More than 100 nomination requests were received and reviewed by the 2008 National Selection Committee, a panel of cheerleading experts from across the nation. This selection committee named 18 finalists, including Gaynes of Covington, to advance to the finals where they will compete in interviews and technical performance. These scores will be combined with the previous portfolio, academic achievement, talent and service scores to award two top athletes scholarships.

Gaynes is currently a cheerleader for the varsity competition squad at Eastside High. She is coached by Eastside head cheer coach Lin Lindsay.

Sponsored by Cheer Ltd., Inc., the NCYSC is designed to recognize outstanding scholar-athletes in the sport of cheerleading and to provide college scholarships for these outstanding individuals. High school cheerleading coaches, all-star cheerleading coaches, athletic directors and school administrators from across the nation are invited annually to nominate top cheerleaders who maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher and who demonstrate exceptional skill in the sport of cheerleading.

For more information and details on this event, contact Lisa Thompson at (910) 488-2600 or send e-mail to Coach Lindsay at Lindsay.lin@newton.k12.ga.us.

Compiled by Jason Murdock, sports editor