Pike Liberal Arts cheerleader Elaina Strother was selected as this year’s AISA West Side All Star Cheerleader Scholarship winner.

The award is given to a member of the AISA All Star team who has the best resume along with the best-written essay.

Strother, who plans to attend Auburn University, was very excited to win the award and the $750 scholarship.

“It was a great honor to win the award,” she said. “I stated in my essay that I wanted to be a sports broadcaster so that scholarship will help me achieve that goal. Also while doing that I want continue to do community service and go on mission trips.”

According to PLAS cheerleading coach Natalie Lankford there is no one more deserving than Strother.

“I have enjoyed coaching Elaina during her time on varsity these last three years,” Lankford said. “She was the team chaplain this year and she did an amazing job. She is an outstanding Christian girl who has blessed my life in numerous ways.”

To prepare for Auburn and a career as a sports broadcaster, Strother is already in training for a spot on the sidelines by watching as much as sports as she can.

“I have loved sports ever since I could understand that,” Strother said. “I would always see the women on the side line and I would always tell myself that I would enjoy that. I know so much about it because I have been going to games since before I could walk.”

Strother said the journalism classes at school and support from school officials and teachers have been invaluable.

“To be able to go to a school that has such great Christian values has been a big help,” Strother said. “I want to make a difference going on mission trips but also become a sports broadcaster and make a difference. My parents always told me to keep God first.”

Strother’s mother couldn’t be happier with where she is heading.

“She loves her school,” Maria Strother said. “Her community involvement and leadership was a big part of receiving her scholarship. As an avid sports fan, she is excited about college and the opportunity to study to become a sports broadcaster.”