Greenwood's 'Green" Group

Cheer and pom-pom squads obviously play an integral role in helping get fans of their beloved high school sports team in a frenzy on game night. Interestingly enough, though, the Greenwood Bulldogs support groups have taken their high level of energy, excitement and enthusiasm to an entirely different level. Getting hometown crowds fired up about on-the-field action is one thing. But, having Bulldogs faithful also go nuts about recycling at a sporting event seems a bit out of the ordinary. Then again, it seems to be going over quite well in Greenwood with these maverick cheer and pom-pom squads managing a successful balancing act as they yell out 'Give me a B-U-L-L-D-O-G-S' one minute and then shout out 'Give me an R-E-C-Y-C-L-E' the next. It actually started as a simple community service project for Ashley Hoyt (cheer squad co-captain) and Brittany Stout (pom squad captain). Ashley's mom, Kelli, shared how it evolved so quickly. "When their (Ashley's and Brittany's) respective pom and cheer squads heard about this they wanted to help out too," Kelli Hoyt said. "It's been a great opportunity for the Spirit Squads to make a difference in our school and community. It has been a sight to see all the pom and cheer girls, along with their parents, spreading out all over the facilities (football stadium) and collecting bottles and cans left behind on the home and visitors bleachers." Saying it has been a worthwhile endeavor would be an understatement considering that approximately 3,500 bottles and cans had been recycled after three playing dates at home through early October. "We've been surprised that it has gotten this big," Ashley Hoyt assured. It's no small task either to get the recycling receptacles set up before each home game, collect them all after the final horn sounds, then go through two to three hours of processing time on Saturday or Sunday. "We spend time sorting out the bottles and cans, removing the lids and emptying (what is left in the bottles and cans) into five-gallon buckets," noted Kelli Hoyt. Both Ashley and Brittany admitted this has turned out to be a huge undertaking, particularly with their already hectic schedules. "We have a lot going on," they said. But, they are adamant that it has to be done. "It's something we felt was necessary," both girls assured. There's no question, Ashley and Brittany are grateful for the support of their families in this effort. "Our parents are really helpful," they acknowledged. These young ladies see the similarities in helping motivate Bulldogs fans to cheer for their favorite team and firing them up about such a good cause. "We get the crowd pumped up for the game and get to see them excited about our football team," they explained. "Then, it's awesome to see the community get excited about this type of project, too." This recycling program has actually gained so much momentum that there is now already a plan to do the same thing at home basketball games this winter, and then carrying it through to some spring sports as well. Ashley and Brittany aren't sure what will transpire after they graduate in the spring, but they both hope that underclassmen in their cheer and pom squads will carry on this legacy of helping take care of our environment. "We're trying to train our younger ones," they said.